Montgomery AL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 107,699 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 4.7% | Montgomery + |
| White | 27.7% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 63.0% | 42.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.6% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $48,536 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $31,324 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.0% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 23.8% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $231,461 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 45.1% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Tuscaloosa
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 42.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.3% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 65.0°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 55.0 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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