Montgomery AL vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 27.7% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 63.0% | 16.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $297,021 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 53.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.1 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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