Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 198,440 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 5.5% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 27.7% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.3% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 4.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,687 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 46.4% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 64.5°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 52.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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