Montgomery AL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 27.7% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 63.0% | 37.5% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.2% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $46,628 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $30,451 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.9% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 26.6% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 29.9% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $241,627 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 37.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.6% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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