Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 5.5% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 27.7% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.3% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 33.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 46.4% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 52.8 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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