Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 198,440 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.2 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.5% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 62.9% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 4.8% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $32,068 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Montgomery
$151,721
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $151,721 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 46.4% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 64.5°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 52.8 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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