Montgomery AL vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 27.7% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 63.0% | 9.7% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 30.9% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $204,104 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.9% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, 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 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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