Montgomery AL vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 98,677 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.0 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 27.7% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 63.0% | 29.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.1% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $52,671 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 28.9% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $279,668 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 51.7% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Roanoke
11.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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