Montgomery AL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 27.7% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 63.0% | 39.9% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.4% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.0% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $233,814 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 52.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 34.5 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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