Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.2 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 5.5% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 27.7% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 2.1% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 3.3% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 4.8% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $55,687 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $32,068 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 20.9% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 33.5% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 46.4% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.7% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.0% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 52.8 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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