Montgomery AL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 71,124 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.0 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 27.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 63.0% | 52.3% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.6% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $55,269 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.6% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 23.2% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 33.1% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $327,117 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 46.0% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1991 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.7% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.5% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.0 min | Montgomery + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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