Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

Tallahassee is 23% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,238/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 14%
$55,931/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$55,687/yr ≈ Same
$276,000 ↑ 86%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 46%
$1,237/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 17%
199,696
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $179/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $2,148/year.

Median household income is $244/year higher in Tallahassee. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Tallahassee residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Montgomery — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 87 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Montgomery?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $179/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Montgomery?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $244/year higher in Tallahassee.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/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 Tallahassee details → View Montgomery details →