Montgomery AL vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 27.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 63.0% | 22.5% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 4.2% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $240,538 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 47.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Montgomery, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Montgomery, ALChicago, IL vs Montgomery, ALHouston, TX vs Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL vs Phoenix, AZMontgomery, AL vs Philadelphia, PA