Montgomery AL vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 154,751 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 27.7% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 63.0% | 20.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.8% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $51,339 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $27,054 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.2% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 25.3% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 19.7% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $298,985 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 49.5% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.1% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.7% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.6 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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