Montgomery AL vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 86,973 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 27.7% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 63.0% | 1.9% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.6% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 25.6% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $509,396 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1931 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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