Montgomery AL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 27.7% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 63.0% | 43.3% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $580,173 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 41.1% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 24.0% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | 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
Montgomery +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.8 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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