Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Madison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Montgomery.
| Metric | Montgomery | Madison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $1,358 | +9% |
| Groceries | $365 | $450 | -19% |
| Utilities | $215 | $223 | -4% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $2,381 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison 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 Madison.
| Metric | Montgomery | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $56,185 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 58,526 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $134,655 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 17.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 64,029 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 4.40% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.00% |
| 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.
Madison
Advantages
Madison was ranked as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Niche in 2025.
The city's overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average as of 2026, indicating a high level of safety.
The median household income of $134,655 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Madison's job market is robust, with employment growing by 7.19% from 2023-2024, particularly in the aerospace and technology sectors.
The city is known for its excellent school systems and a highly family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Madison exhibits high car dependency with a low walkability score of 17 and very limited public transit options.
Summers in Madison are characterized as long, muggy, and hot, with high humidity levels.
While overall healthcare costs are below the national average, they are slightly above the Alabama state average.
Some southeastern neighborhoods of Madison report higher crime rates compared to the safer central areas.
The median home price of approximately $420,000 in mid-2024 is higher than the average for the state of Alabama.
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
Madison
#2Alabama, USA
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,358
Avg Salary
$56,185
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
76
Business
78
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