Montgomery AL vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
55.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.4 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 27.7% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 63.0% | 55.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.8% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $55,339 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.8% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.6% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $245,988 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 50.5% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 19.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 66.6 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | 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
Montgomery +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.6 min | Montgomery + |
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, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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