Montgomery AL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 146,211 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 27.7% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 63.0% | 27.6% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $45,845 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $27,570 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.4% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 29.6% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 30.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $215,134 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 41.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.1% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
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 434 in Syracuse. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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