Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Montes Claros
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montes Claros is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
193% higher compared to Montgomery.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montgomery's average rent is
388% higher than Montes Claros's.
| Metric | Montgomery | Montes Claros | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,485 | $304 | +388% |
| Groceries | $365 | $344 | +6% |
| Utilities | $215 | $67 | +221% |
| Transport | $150 | $52 | +188% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $75 | +233% |
| Monthly Total | $2,465 | $842 | +193% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 63 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Montgomery offers 8661% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montgomery delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montgomery is estimated at
$55,000 vs $10,200 in Montes Claros.
| Metric | Montgomery | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,571 | $406 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $10,200 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,967 idx | 644 idx |
| Household Income | $56,811 | $4,872 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montgomery | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Montes Claros 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 | Montgomery | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montes Claros is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Montgomery.
From a growth perspective, Montes Claros is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,494 | 443,380 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.32% |
| Median Age | 36.6 | |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $2.6B |
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.
Montes Claros
Advantages
Montes Claros is classified as the 5th city in Minas Gerais with the best quality of life, scoring 68.79 in the IPS Brasil 2024 index.
The city's cost of living is approximately 37% lower than the global median, making it highly affordable.
The pharmaceutical industry is a strong growth sector, attracting significant investments and creating jobs.
Montes Claros has a robust entrepreneurial climate, ranking among the top cities in Brazil for business due to high diversification and growth.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with major hospitals, including Santa Casa Montes Claros, recognized for its quality.
Drawbacks
Despite a decrease in violent crimes and homicides, robberies in Montes Claros increased by 20% between 2019 and 2024.
The average monthly net salary in Montes Claros is relatively low at $406, which is below the national GDP per capita.
The city faces challenges in business survival and density, indicating potential difficulties for new enterprises.
Montes Claros experienced difficulties with pediatric bed availability in 2024, highlighting a strain on healthcare resources.
Specific data on median age and comprehensive public transit/walkability scores are not readily available for recent years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montgomery
#125Alabama, 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
Montes Claros
#5Minas Gerais, Brazil
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$304
Avg Salary
$406
Cost Index
63
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
69
Business
75
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