Montgomery AL vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 27.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 63.0% | 5.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.1% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $54,546 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $31,152 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 30.2% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $324,946 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 51.7% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.7% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 69.8°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.9 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, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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