Montgomery AL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 141,925 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 27.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 63.0% | 20.4% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.0% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $51,468 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $28,819 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 24.0% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 28.6% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $196,465 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 48.9% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 20.4% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.2% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 66.6°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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