Montgomery AL vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 27.7% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 63.0% | 6.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 25.7% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $648,603 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.6% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 66.8°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 34.1 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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