Montgomery AL vs San Bernardino CA — 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 Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.7% | 27.6% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 63.0% | 11.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $23,980 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 12.8% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $492,059 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 48.5% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 20.2% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.7 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 503 in San Bernardino. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
Compare More Cities
Montgomery, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Montgomery, ALChicago, IL vs Montgomery, ALHouston, TX vs Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL vs Phoenix, AZMontgomery, AL vs Philadelphia, PA