Montgomery AL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 27.7% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 63.0% | 27.5% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $435,807 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 51.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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