Montgomery AL vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 169,432 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 3.8% | Montgomery + |
| White | 27.7% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 63.0% | 4.3% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.7% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $45,984 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $30,864 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 30.3% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $245,279 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 42.9% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.6% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
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, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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