Montgomery AL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 75,721 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 27.7% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 63.0% | 2.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $765,686 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 45.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.1% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.4 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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