Montgomery, AL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Montgomery, AL Summary

Cost of living in Montgomery research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Montgomery is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Alabama, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Montgomery is 89, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Montgomery is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Montgomery ranks as the #41 cheapest in Alabama out of 119.

  • Montgomery ranks as the #1,060 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Montgomery is $146,083.

  • The median income in Montgomery is $55,687.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
89
Montgomery's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Montgomery, AL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Montgomery has an overall cost of living index of 89, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Alabama, Montgomery has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Alabama's index of 90.

The standard of living in Montgomery ranks as #41 most affordable out of the 119 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Montgomery ranks as the #78 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.

For more reading on life in Montgomery, check out:

41 out of 119
In Alabama
1,060 out of 6,489
In America

Montgomery Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Montgomery. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Montgomery is 90.

  • The Groceries index in Montgomery is 95.

  • The Health index in Montgomery is 79.

  • The Housing index in Montgomery is 73.

  • The Transportation index in Montgomery is 90.

  • The Utilities index in Montgomery is 106.

Living Expense Montgomery Alabama National Average
Overall 89 90 100
Services 90 97 100
Groceries 95 98 100
Health 79 86 100
Housing 73 74 100
Transportation 90 93 100
Utilities 106 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Montgomery Cost of Living Vs. AL

Montgomery, AL Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alabama, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Montgomery is $146,083.

  • The Median Rent in Montgomery is $1,059.

  • The Median Income in Montgomery is $55,687.

  • The Home Value To Income in Montgomery is 2.6x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Montgomery is 0.23x.

Statistic Montgomery Alabama United States
Median Home Value $146,083 $232,780 $303,400
Median Rent $1,059 $963 $1,348
Median Income $55,687 $62,027 $78,538
Home Value To Income 2.6x 3.8x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.23x 0.19x 0.21x
$146,083
Median Home Value
$1,059
Median Rent
$55,687
Median Income

Montgomery, AL Costs By Category

Detailed Montgomery Services Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Montgomery Alabama
Shampoo $1.31 $1.28
Movie $9.44 $12.13
Bowling $12.0 $18
Haircut $23.07 $24.26
Beauty Salon $43.53 $45.56

Detailed Montgomery Groceries Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Montgomery Alabama
Ground Beef $5.97 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.55 $4.67
Potatoes $5.2 $4.93
Pizza $11.39 $12.09
Beer $10.73 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.65 $3.7

Detailed Montgomery Health Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Montgomery Alabama
Optometrist $93.6 $125.68
Doctor $104.44 $135.78
Dentist $73.11 $113.29

Detailed Montgomery Transportation Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Montgomery Alabama
Gasoline $3.18 $3.46
Tire Balancing $54.09 $59.92

Detailed Montgomery Utilities Costs Vs. Alabama

Item Montgomery Alabama
All Electricity $201.74 $193.99
Phone $200.7 $192.25

Montgomery SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
7
Diversity
9
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8.5
Education
8
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Montgomery

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Montgomery. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Auburn, AL has a cost of living index of 107, 1.2x Montgomery.

  • Prattville, AL has a cost of living index of 94, 1.1x Montgomery.

  • Troy, AL has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Montgomery.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Montgomery
Auburn, AL 78,738 107 1.2x
Prattville, AL 38,850 94 1.1x
Troy, AL 17,733 92 1.0x
Selma, AL 17,442 83 0.9x
Millbrook, AL 16,923 94 1.1x
Pike Road, AL 10,103 111 1.2x
Wetumpka, AL 7,182 88 1.0x
Redland, AL 5,231 108 1.2x

Articles About Alabama

Enjoy The Snack?