Montgomery AL vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 192,696 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 27.7% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 63.0% | 3.1% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 31.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $510,577 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 49.9% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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