Atlanta GA vs Montgomery AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 198,440 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.2 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.5% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 27.7% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.3% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 4.8% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $55,687 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $32,068 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 20.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 33.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 46.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 52.8 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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