Montgomery AL vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 27.7% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 63.0% | 42.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.1% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $374,265 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 43.5% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.2% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.6 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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