Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 198,440 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.2 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 5.5% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 27.7% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.3% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 4.8% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $55,687 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $32,068 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 20.9% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 54.3% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 46.4% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.7% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 64.5°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 52.8 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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