Montgomery AL vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.1 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 27.7% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 63.0% | 4.4% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $802,780 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.9% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 37.4 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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