Montgomery AL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Montgomery
198,440
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 27.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 63.0% | 12.1% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $435,532 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 42.4% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.1% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.3 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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