Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Montgomery, AL
VS
Nashua, NH
🏆 Nashua leads 14 of 23 categories
Montgomery
Alabama
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,166
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
199,819 ✓ Larger
Nashua
New Hampshire
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,766 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
90,943
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Montgomery, AL
Pros
Homes cost $203k less ($141,900 vs $344,900)
Rent averages $571/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,597)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Nashua
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 35°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Cons
Median income trails Nashua by $34,600/yr
Violent crime (594.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.1%)
Nashua, NH
Pros
Households earn $34,600 more per year on average
73% less violent crime than Montgomery
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.1%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 40.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $344,900
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Montgomery
Snowy winters — about 53" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Montgomery
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 106.1 (100 = US avg)
Montgomery
Median Home Value
$203k less
$141,900 vs $344,900
Montgomery
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 84.7°F
Nashua
Median Income
$34,600
$88,766 vs $54,166/yr
Nashua
Violent Crime
73% lower
160.5 vs 594.6 per 100k
Nashua
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.1% vs 7.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashua, NH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 106.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $141,900 ✓ Lower | $344,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,026 ✓ Lower | $1,597⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,166 | $88,766 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter | 24.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 12.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 106⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% | 40.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County | Nashua School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 34.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.6" | 46.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.3" ✓ Less | 52.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 199,819 ✓ Larger | 90,943 |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.5% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.7% ✓ More | 18.8% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Montgomery's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Nashua's 106.1 (US average = 100).
Montgomery is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Nashua leads 14 of 23 categories. Montgomery wins 9 and Nashua wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Montgomery to Nashua or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($141,900 vs $344,900 median home), income ($54,166 vs $88,766), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Montgomery, AL and Nashua, NH are about 1,079 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.