Performance
Score Breakdown
Montgomery
Alabaster
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Montgomery.
| Metric | Montgomery | Alabaster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,180 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $470 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $195 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $160 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Montgomery offers 40% 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
$50,000 vs $72,000 in Alabaster.
| Metric | Montgomery | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $40,018 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,368 idx | 40,835 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $91,357 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Montgomery runs warmer on average — a 66°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Montgomery comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Montgomery sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Montgomery | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 71.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Montgomery has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
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 | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 38.4/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 44.30 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montgomery is the larger city
— approximately 5.8x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Alabaster is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alabaster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montgomery | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,218 | 33,917 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $29.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montgomery
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montgomery
#13Alabama, USA
75.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.4/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
66.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
74
Alabaster
#12Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
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