Montgomery AL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Westland
5.0%
Westland +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 84,155 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 27.7% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 63.0% | 22.6% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 5.0% | Westland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 21.7% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $215,089 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.6% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.6% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | 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
Montgomery +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, 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 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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