What are the schools like in Montgomery, AL?

Montgomery is served primarily by Montgomery County. The district operates 30 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 9 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.6:1.

What is the median household income in Montgomery?

The median household income in Montgomery, AL is $54,166 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.2%.

What is the weather like in Montgomery, AL?

Montgomery has an average high temperature of 60.2°F in January and 94.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 54.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.3 inches.

Montgomery, AL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Montgomery, AL affordable or expensive?

Montgomery's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Montgomery is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $141,900 and the median rent is $1,026 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Montgomery, AL?

Montgomery has a violent crime rate of 594.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2235.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Montgomery, AL a Good Place to Live?

Montgomery is a mid-sized city of 199,819 in Alabama, with a median household income of $54,166 and a 7.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Montgomery stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Montgomery is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Montgomery city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 90.8

Montgomery's overall cost of living index is 90.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Montgomery costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Montgomery, AL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$141,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,026	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	53.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$54,166	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Montgomery's violent crime rate is 594.6 per 100,000 residents — 56% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

594.6 /100k

Property Crime

2235.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Montgomery is served primarily by Montgomery County. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Montgomery, AL	National Avg
School District	Montgomery County	—
Elementary Schools	30	—
Middle Schools	9	—
High Schools	9	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	33.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	87.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Montgomery sees average highs of 60.2°F in January and 94.2°F in July, with 54.6 inches of annual precipitation and 0.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Montgomery, AL
Average High — January	60.2°F
Average High — July	94.2°F
Annual Precipitation	54.6"
Annual Snowfall	0.3"

Demographics

Metric	Montgomery, AL	National Avg
Population	199,819	—
Median Age	36.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	29.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	62.7%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.6%	18.9%
Asian	3.5%	6.3%
Under 18	23.7%	22.2%
65 and over	15.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Pike Road, AL 10 mi Coosada, AL 11 mi Blue Ridge, AL 12 mi Redland, AL 12 mi Emerald Mountain, AL 12 mi

ZIP Codes in Montgomery

Montgomery, AL is covered by 18 ZIP codes:

36108 36117 36116 36109 36110 36105 36104 36106 36111 36107 36043 36112 36113 36115 36057 36130 36114 36101

Montgomery vs Other Cities

Montgomery, AL vs Pike Road, AL Montgomery, AL vs Coosada, AL Montgomery, AL vs Blue Ridge, AL Montgomery, AL vs Redland, AL Montgomery, AL vs Emerald Mountain, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montgomery, AL affordable or expensive?

Montgomery's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Montgomery roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $141,900 and median rent is $1,026/month.

What is the crime rate in Montgomery, AL?

Montgomery's violent crime rate is 594.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2235.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Montgomery?

Public schools in Montgomery are operated by Montgomery County. The district has 30 elementary, 9 middle, and 9 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. 33.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Montgomery, AL a good place to live?

Montgomery, AL has a population of 199,819, a median household income of $54,166, and an unemployment rate of 7.2%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Montgomery?

Montgomery averages 60.2°F in January and 94.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 54.6 inches with about 0.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Montgomery?

Montgomery, AL is covered by 18 ZIP codes: 36108, 36117, 36116, 36109, 36110, 36105, 36104, 36106, 36111, 36107, 36043, 36112, 36113, 36115, 36057, 36130, 36114, 36101.

What is the population of Montgomery?

The population of Montgomery, Alabama is 199,819 with a median age of 36.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Montgomery?

Key numbers for living in Montgomery: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $141,900, median household income $54,166, crime index 136 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Montgomery side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.