Montgomery AL vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 27.7% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 63.0% | 7.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.1% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 28.7% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $251,035 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 52.4% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 24.5% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.0% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 68.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.5 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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