Montgomery AL vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 68,505 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 27.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 63.0% | 9.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.2% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 3.1% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $561,069 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 46.7% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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