Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 5.5% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 0.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 3.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 4.8% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $55,687 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.5% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 20.9% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 46.4% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 16.7% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 52.8 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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