Montgomery AL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 176,666 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 27.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 63.0% | 1.6% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 31.4% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $438,754 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3001 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.6% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.2% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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