Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Montgomery, AL
VS
Overland Park, KS
🏆 Overland Park leads 14 of 22 categories
Montgomery
Alabama
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,166
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
199,819 ✓ Larger
Overland Park
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$100,876 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
49 ✓ Safer
Population
196,676
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Montgomery, AL
Pros
Homes cost $220k less ($141,900 vs $361,800)
Rent averages $352/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,378)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 39°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Overland Park
Cons
Median income trails Overland Park by $46,710/yr
Violent crime (594.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 3.2%)
Overland Park, KS
Pros
Households earn $46,710 more per year on average
69% less violent crime than Montgomery
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (3.2%)
More college-educated — 62.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (184.4 vs 380/100k)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $361,800
Higher rents — median is $1,378/mo
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Montgomery
Key Differences at a Glance
Montgomery
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Montgomery
Median Home Value
$220k less
$141,900 vs $361,800
Montgomery
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 88.2°F
Overland Park
Median Income
$46,710
$100,876 vs $54,166/yr
Overland Park
Violent Crime
69% lower
184.4 vs 594.6 per 100k
Overland Park
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
3.2% vs 7.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Overland Park, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $141,900 ✓ Lower | $361,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,026 ✓ Lower | $1,378⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,166 | $100,876 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.9 min | 19.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.3% | 19.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 106⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 13.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% | 62.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 97.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County | Blue Valley |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 38.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.6" | 40.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.3" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 199,819 ✓ Larger | 196,676 |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.5% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.7% ✓ More | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Montgomery's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Overland Park's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Montgomery is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Overland Park leads 14 of 22 categories. Montgomery wins 8 and Overland Park 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 Overland Park or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($141,900 vs $361,800 median home), income ($54,166 vs $100,876), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Montgomery, AL and Overland Park, KS are about 654 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.