City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Montgomery, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Montgomery - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

198,440
Residents
$55,687
Median income
$148,500
Median home
$1,016
Median rent (state)

Montgomery - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Montgomery lands in the 28th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
26th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
18th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Montgomery, AL

Alabama's Montgomery is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 198,440 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $55,687 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 17.7%. Montgomery's housing stock carries a median value of $148,500, and the median resident age is 36.2 years. Educational attainment runs 33.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 251 residential building permits were authorized in Montgomery (Stable), down 5% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Montgomery's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2829.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 66.4°F with 51.2 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: the state registers 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,016 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Montgomery report an average commute of 19.0 minutes, with 80.2% driving alone and 7.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 91.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

198,440 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$55,687 /yr

Poverty 17.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Montgomery compare to other US cities?

Montgomery measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 26% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alabama alone, Montgomery ranks #158 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Montgomery's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

28thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Montgomery's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Montgomery's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 41 Avg. percentile National median
Montgomery's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Montgomery's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$148,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 74% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Montgomery $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Montgomery, AL Montgomery, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Montgomery, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Montgomery, AL median $55,687/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Montgomery, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Montgomery, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
198,440
Median Income
$55,687
Median Home Value
$148,500
Median Age
36.2
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Labor force participation
54.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2829.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
594.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2235.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
66.4°F
Annual Precipitation
51.2"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
52
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
194,000 residents196,000 residents198,000 residents200,000 residents202,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 200,038 residents 195,300 residents ▼ -2.4%
Montgomery's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
251
housing units authorized
Single-Family
212
detached homes
Multifamily
39
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 263
2020 297
2021 282
2022 275
2023 331
2024 251

Permit volume decreased 5% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.0 minutes
Drive Alone
80.2%
Carpool
9.8%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
7.2%
Other
1.0%

Based on 84,970 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Montgomery sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,016/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Birmingham
199,322 people
Mobile
185,097 people
Huntsville
218,814 people
Tuscaloosa
107,699 people
Hoover
92,401 people
Auburn
78,738 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Montgomery's 198,440 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Grand Prairie, TX
198,564 people
Sunrise Manor, NV
199,099 people
Grand Rapids, MI
197,768 people
Sioux Falls, SD
197,642 people
Overland Park, KS
197,199 people
Tallahassee, FL
199,696 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Montgomery's $55,687 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Belleair Bluffs, FL
$55,688 median income
Cordes Lakes, AZ
$55,691 median income
Pine Hills, FL
$55,692 median income
New York Mills, NY
$55,682 median income
Newell, PA
$55,682 median income
Schuylkill Haven, PA
$55,682 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Montgomery, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Montgomery, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.7% 63.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 27.7% Black or African American 63.0% Asian 3.3% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.5% Two or more races 4.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Montgomery compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Montgomery (this city) 198,440 $55,687
Birmingham 199,322 $44,376
Mobile 185,097 $51,090
Huntsville 218,814 $70,778
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Montgomery, AL?

What is the population of Montgomery, AL? +

Montgomery, AL counts 198,440 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Montgomery, AL? +

The median household income in Montgomery is $55,687 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Montgomery? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Montgomery; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Montgomery, AL safe? +

Montgomery has a total crime rate of 2829.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Montgomery, AL? +

A typical home in Montgomery is worth $148,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Montgomery? +

Climate normals put Montgomery's yearly average temperature at 66.4°F, 51.2 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.