City Comparison
Bessemer vs Montgomery
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Alabama, USA
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VS
Montgomery scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bessemer
Montgomery
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Bessemer | Montgomery | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,485 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $365 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $215 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,465 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Montgomery offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Bessemer | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $35,571 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bessemer | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bessemer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Montgomery.
Montgomery scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montgomery leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bessemer | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | — | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Bessemer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bessemer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bessemer | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 197,494 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 36.6 | |
| Unemployment | % | 3.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bessemer
Montgomery
Advantages
The cost of living in Montgomery is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Montgomery ranked #1 in Alabama for Capital Investment in New Projects in 2024, indicating a strong business environment.
The median home sale price of $205,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, offering accessible homeownership.
The city offers diverse public transportation options, including fixed-route buses and on-demand micro-transit services.
Major hospitals like Baptist Medical Center East and South have received awards for specialized care, indicating quality healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Montgomery's crime rates are 47% higher than the Alabama average, posing a concern for residents.
The city has a low Walk Score of 26 and a Transit Score of 22, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $56,811 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Utilities in Montgomery are about 10% pricier than the U.S. average.
The city's population experienced a slight decline of -0.5% year-over-year in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bessemer
Alabama, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
Montgomery
#488Alabama, USA
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
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