Montgomery AL vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 27.7% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 63.0% | 21.3% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $376,530 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 50.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.9% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 73.4°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.8 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Montgomery, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Montgomery, ALChicago, IL vs Montgomery, ALHouston, TX vs Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL vs Phoenix, AZMontgomery, AL vs Philadelphia, PA