Montgomery AL vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 138,723 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.9 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 27.7% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 63.0% | 1.6% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $671,948 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 65.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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