Montgomery AL vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 27.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 63.0% | 2.7% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.9% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.6% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $400,636 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.5% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.6 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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