Montgomery AL vs Nashville TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Nashville
N/A
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 27.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 63.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Nashville
$59,097
Nashville +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Nashville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $436,355 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Nashville
2350
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Nashville
47.9 in
Nashville +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 47.9 in | Nashville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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