Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 198,440 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.5% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 27.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 4.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Montgomery
$151,721
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $151,721 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 46.4% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 64.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 52.8 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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