Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Montgomery
63.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 198,440 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 5.5% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 76.8% | 63.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 4.8% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Montgomery
$151,721
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $151,721 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Detroit +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 46.4% | Detroit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 52.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Detroit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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