Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

New York is 159% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,779/mo ↑ 68%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 40%
$79,713/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 30%
$751,700 ↑ 406%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 80%
$1,837/mo ↑ 80%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 44%
8,516,202
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
5.0%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $720/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $8,640/year.

Median household income is $24,026/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Montgomery slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Montgomery — common questions

Is New York or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Montgomery?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $720/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Montgomery?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $24,026/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Alabama?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View New York details → View Montgomery details →

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