Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Boston
21.5%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 198,440 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 36.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 5.5% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 27.7% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.3% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 4.8% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $55,687 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $32,068 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $51,690 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 20.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 33.5% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 400 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1734 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 46.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 16.7% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.0% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.3% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 64.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 52.8 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Boston, MA vs New York, NYBoston, MA vs Los Angeles, CABoston, MA vs Chicago, ILBoston, MA vs Houston, TXBoston, MA vs Phoenix, AZBoston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA