Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Hoover
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montgomery is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Hoover.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montgomery's average rent is
32% lower than Hoover's.
| Metric | Montgomery | Hoover | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $2,175 | -32% |
| Groceries | $365 | $590 | -38% |
| Utilities | $215 | $185 | +16% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $3,320 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hoover offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hoover delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montgomery is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Hoover.
| Metric | Montgomery | Hoover |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $68,617 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 80,726 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $109,253 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Hoover |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Montgomery | Hoover |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 15.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Hoover.
From a growth perspective, Hoover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hoover has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Hoover |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 93,700 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.62% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Hoover
Advantages
Hoover boasts a significantly lower unemployment rate (2.9% in 2023) compared to the national average, indicating a strong job market.
The median household income in Hoover ($109,253 in 2024) is substantially higher than both the state and national averages.
Hoover's cost of living is estimated to be 15% less expensive than the national average as of June 2026, offering good affordability.
The city is known for its top-rated public school system, ranking among the highest in Alabama.
Hoover offers extensive outdoor recreational opportunities, including 25 public parks and access to the Cahaba River.
Drawbacks
Hoover is a car-dependent city, with limited public transportation options and a low walkability score.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Hoover are higher than the average for other cities within Alabama.
Specific monthly utility costs are not consistently reported and can be slightly above those in smaller Alabama towns.
The average monthly grocery cost in Hoover is higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs in Hoover are reported to be higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montgomery
#90Alabama, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,485
Avg Salary
$35,571
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
22.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
65
Business
75
Hoover
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,175
Avg Salary
$68,617
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
15.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
80
Business
75
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