Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Montgomery, AL
VS
Orlando, FL
🏆 Montgomery leads 13 of 23 categories
Montgomery
Alabama
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,166
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
199,819
Orlando
Florida
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
307,738 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Montgomery, AL
Pros
Homes cost $191k less ($141,900 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $483/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,509)
29% less violent crime than Orlando
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
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 Orlando by $12,126/yr
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.2%)
Orlando, FL
Pros
Households earn $12,126 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 60°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Montgomery
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Montgomery
Violent Crime
29% lower
594.6 vs 835.8 per 100k
Montgomery
Median Home Value
$191k less
$141,900 vs $332,700
Orlando
Median Income
$12,126
$66,292 vs $54,166/yr
Orlando
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 101.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $141,900 ✓ Lower | $332,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,026 ✓ Lower | $1,509⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,166 | $66,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 209⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% | 41.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County | ORANGE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 92.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.6" | 51.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 199,819 | 307,738 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.1 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.5% ✓ Higher | 39.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Montgomery's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Orlando's 101.1 (US average = 100).
Montgomery is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Montgomery leads 13 of 23 categories. Montgomery wins 13 and Orlando wins 10. 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 Orlando or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($141,900 vs $332,700 median home), income ($54,166 vs $66,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Montgomery, AL and Orlando, FL are about 404 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.