Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 198,440 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 27.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.8% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $55,687 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $32,068 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 20.9% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 46.4% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 52.8 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA