Montgomery AL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 190,214 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 27.7% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 63.0% | 13.3% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.4% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $429,449 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 41.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.6% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.4 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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