Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Montgomery, AL
VS
Nashville-Davidson, TN
🏆 Montgomery leads 14 of 22 categories
Montgomery
Alabama
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,166
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
199,819
Nashville-Davidson
Tennessee
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$71,328 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
296⚠ High
Population
684,103 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Montgomery, AL
Pros
Homes cost $210k less ($141,900 vs $351,400)
47% less violent crime than Nashville-Davidson
Rent averages $366/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,392)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 48°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Cons
Violent crime (594.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Nashville-Davidson by $17,162/yr
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 4.6%)
Nashville-Davidson, TN
Pros
Households earn $17,162 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (4.6%)
More college-educated — 45.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $351,400
Higher rents — median is $1,392/mo
Violent crime (1124.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4509.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Montgomery
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Montgomery
Violent Crime
47% lower
594.6 vs 1124.1 per 100k
Montgomery
Median Home Value
$210k less
$141,900 vs $351,400
Montgomery
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 89.3°F
Nashville-Davidson
Median Income
$17,162
$71,328 vs $54,166/yr
Nashville-Davidson
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Nashville-Davidson, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $141,900 ✓ Lower | $351,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,026 ✓ Lower | $1,392⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,166 | $71,328 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter | 24.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 15.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 296⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% | 45.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County | Davidson County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 89.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.6" ✓ Drier | 54.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.3" ✓ Less | 4.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 199,819 | 684,103 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.1 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.5% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.7% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Montgomery's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Nashville-Davidson's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Montgomery is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Montgomery leads 14 of 22 categories. Montgomery wins 14 and Nashville-Davidson wins 8. 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 Nashville-Davidson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($141,900 vs $351,400 median home), income ($54,166 vs $71,328), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Montgomery, AL and Nashville-Davidson, TN are about 266 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.