Montgomery AL vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 125,273 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.3 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 27.7% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 63.0% | 19.3% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.1% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 22.6% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $304,173 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.2% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.6 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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