Montgomery AL vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 186,419 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 27.7% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 63.0% | 7.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $468,328 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 41.6% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 71.3°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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