Montgomery AL vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 100,713 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.5 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 27.7% | 24.0% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 63.0% | 4.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $31,989 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 21.3% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $765,319 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.4% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.1 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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