City Comparison
Montgomery vs Northport
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Northport scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montgomery is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montgomery's average rent is
12% lower than Northport's.
| Metric | Montgomery | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $1,684 | -12% |
| Groceries | $365 | $450 | -19% |
| Utilities | $215 | $250 | -14% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $2,784 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Northport offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Northport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montgomery is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Northport.
| Metric | Montgomery | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $44,414 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 51,051 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 67.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Montgomery scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montgomery | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 6.2x the population of Northport.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 31,714 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.21% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 13% less than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Northport ranks in the 68th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than a majority of U.S. cities.
The city boasts a strong sense of community and a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
Residents have access to numerous parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and fishing.
The historic downtown district offers a vibrant arts scene, unique shops, and diverse dining experiences.
Drawbacks
Northport exhibits high car dependency, with limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a slight decline in overall employment at a rate of -0.243% from 2023 to 2024.
While generally safe, Northport's crime rate is higher than average when compared to other communities of similar population sizes.
Specific data for certain cost breakdowns, like monthly transit passes and home purchase price per square foot, are not readily available for recent years.
The walkability score of 27 indicates that most daily errands require a car.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montgomery
#488Alabama, USA
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
Northport
#133Alabama, USA
65.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$44,414
Cost Index
87
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
27.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
76
Business
60
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