salaryMontgomery is the 4th-largest city in Alabama that we track, with 197,494 residents. Rent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,160 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 75 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Montgomery with other big cities
Compare Montgomery to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Montgomery?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Montgomery
| Size | Montgomery | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $910 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $930 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,085 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,265 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,510 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Montgomery overall?
Everyday prices in the Montgomery metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 89.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Montgomery
Life in Montgomery
What jobs pay in Montgomery
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,620 | 11.5% |
| Lawyer | $125,290 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $110,620 | 14.1% |
| Operations Manager | $107,980 | 14.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,050 | 14.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $102,040 | 15.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,470 | 16.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,540 | 16.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,570 | 19.7% |
| Accountant | $75,040 | 20.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,240 | 25.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $60,120 | 26.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,610 | 26.3% |
| Plumber | $57,960 | 27.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $55,410 | 28.2% |
| Truck Driver | $54,860 | 28.5% |
| Electrician | $49,910 | 31.4% |
| Firefighter | $48,780 | 32.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,680 | 32.1% |
| Police Officer | $48,490 | 32.3% |
| Carpenter | $47,360 | 33.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,370 | 41.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,960 | 42.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $35,810 | 43.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,210 | 44.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,070 | 47.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,650 | 52.8% |
| Cashier | $28,330 | 55.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,360 | 59.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Montgomery?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $181 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $161,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,190 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Montgomery, AL?
Renting in Montgomery costs a median of about $1,304 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Montgomery?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,160 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Montgomery cheap or expensive?
Montgomery is rated OK: rent takes 25.5% of the typical household income of $61,271. It ranks 75th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Montgomery?
The median homeowner in Montgomery pays $643 a year in property taxes, about 0.40% of the median home value.
Is Montgomery more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Montgomery?
The median home value in Montgomery is $161,900, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
197,494 people live in Montgomery. Numbers are typical (middle) values.