Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Montgomery
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% lower compared to Montgomery.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
20% lower than Montgomery's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Montgomery | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,181 | $1,485 | -20% |
| Groceries | $440 | $365 | +21% |
| Utilities | $275 | $215 | +28% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,166 | $2,465 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 65% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Birmingham is estimated at
$63,000 vs $55,000 in Montgomery.
| Metric | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,531 | $35,571 |
| Salary Needed | $63,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,034 idx | 39,967 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $56,811 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 26.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Birmingham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,033 | 197,494 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
The cost of living in Birmingham is approximately 10% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with the average rent at $1,181 per month as of July 2026.
Birmingham is a major healthcare hub with several highly-ranked hospitals, including UAB Hospital.
The city's economy is diversifying with notable growth in technology and financial occupations.
The unemployment rate in Birmingham was 3.2% in April 2026, which is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Birmingham has a high crime rate, with a crime index of 61.14 and a homicide rate significantly above the national average in 2024.
The city's population has been experiencing a slight annual decline.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, indicating high car dependency.
Job growth in Birmingham has been below the U.S. average in recent years.
Utility costs in Birmingham are slightly higher than the national average.
Montgomery
Advantages
The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Montgomery ranked #1 in Alabama for Capital Investment in New Projects in 2024, indicating a strong business environment.
The median home sale price of $205,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, offering accessible homeownership.
The city offers diverse public transportation options, including fixed-route buses and on-demand micro-transit services.
Major hospitals like Baptist Medical Center East and South have received awards for specialized care, indicating quality healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Montgomery's crime rates are 47% higher than the Alabama average, posing a concern for residents.
The city has a low Walk Score of 26 and a Transit Score of 22, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $56,811 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Utilities in Montgomery are about 10% pricier than the U.S. average.
The city's population experienced a slight decline of -0.5% year-over-year in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#76Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,181
Avg Salary
$58,531
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
68
Business
65
Montgomery
#107Alabama, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
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