Montgomery AL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 27.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 63.0% | 7.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.3% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $411,323 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.3% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 72.1°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.7 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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