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Cost of living in Montgomery, AL

Livability score 73 · cost-of-living index 89.9 (US = 100)

Montgomery, AL
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How Montgomery compares

Where Montgomery falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 90 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 90 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $214k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $214k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $104 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $104 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 9.3% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 9.3% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.32% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.32% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 450 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 450 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 17.4 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 17.4 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 91° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 91° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 33° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 33°

Map of Montgomery

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 89.9 metro-area #29 of 200
Grocery index (US=100) 94.6 metro-area #52 of 200
Big Mac price (est.) $5.12 metro-area #28 of 200
Median household income $60,849 metro-area #170 of 200
Median wage (all occupations) $36,521 metro-area #154 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age 37.9 years metro-area #82 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 30.4% metro-area #131 of 200
Foreign-born residents 4.1% metro-area #179 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied 65.0% metro-area #118 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate 5.56% metro-area #132 of 200
Population growth (5-yr) +3.0% metro-area #120 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price $214,099 metro-area #18 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.5× metro-area #15 of 200
1-yr home appreciation +3.7% metro-area #36 of 200
Price per square foot $104 metro-area #14 of 200
Typical home size (implied) 2,051 sqft
Median rent (monthly) $1,402 metro-area #52 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory) 1,706
Median days on market 22 metro-area #128 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income) 9.8% state #78 of 200
Combined sales tax 9.25% state #174 of 200
State income tax (top rate) 5.00%
Capital gains tax 5.00% state #115 of 200
High earners No special surtax
Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate 0.32% metro-area #3 of 200
Median property tax paid $546 metro-area #2 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth 73.4 years metro-area #181 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,200 state #10 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents) 10.2% metro-area #127 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k 69 metro-area #130 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center) $7,000 state #5 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration $90 state #74 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual) 0.70% of value (~$196/yr) state #134 of 200
Emissions testing Not required
Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices 4
Avg commute to work 24 min metro-area #83 of 200
Commute by driving alone 82.4% metro-area #195 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 32.6% metro-area #115 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity 17.4¢/kWh state #116 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill $157 state #116 of 200
Gasoline $2.95/gal state #3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $78 state #139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $117 state #121 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill) $76 state #20 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual) $2,400 state #139 of 200
Auto insurance (annual) $1,900 state #86 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazards Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 80.5 — Relatively Low metro-area #27 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $800 state #120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 42 metro-area #57 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load) 2,000 metro-area #138 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state) 94% state #64 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load) 2,600 metro-area #70 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F 76 metro-area #161 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F 2 metro-area #144 of 200
Avg summer high (state) 91°F metro-area #136 of 200
Avg winter low 33°F metro-area #83 of 200
Annual precipitation 56.6" metro-area #186 of 200
Annual snowfall 1.4" metro-area #63 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible) 62% metro-area #64 of 200
Plant hardiness zone 8a
Frost window 03-10 → 11-20

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 450 state #134 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,500 state #151 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores 120 metro-area #5 of 200
Parks 60
Hiking areas 15
Golf courses 15
Shooting ranges 4
Lakes 4

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #1 of 200
Permit detail Generally easy

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Montgomery

Major public and private employers in the Montgomery, AL area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama Manufacturing Search →
State of Alabama Government Careers →
Hyundai MOBIS Manufacturing Search →
Baptist Health Healthcare Careers →
Jackson Hospital Healthcare Search →

Salaries by occupation in Montgomery

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $158,440
Pharmacists $135,030
Financial Managers $126,460
Lawyers $108,950
Marketing Managers $108,380
General & Operations Managers $102,160
Human Resources Managers $101,110
Physician Assistants $98,030
Physical Therapists $95,110
Construction Managers $94,690
Software Developers $94,340
Civil Engineers $93,910
Mechanical Engineers $83,070
Registered Nurses $74,430
Accountants & Auditors $66,330
Web Developers $57,970
Dental Hygienists $56,820
Elementary School Teachers $53,090
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,370
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $49,330
Electricians $47,890
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $46,260
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $46,110
Data Scientists $46,010
Real Estate Sales Agents $45,560
Graphic Designers $45,240
Carpenters $44,990
Medical Assistants $34,020

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