City vs city
Grand Rapids, MI vs Montgomery, AL
- Rent is 16% lower in Montgomery (median $1,089/mo vs $1,266/mo in Grand Rapids).
- Homes cost 51% less in Montgomery ($162k vs $245k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $131 more a month after taxes and rent in Montgomery.
- Schools rate higher in Montgomery (1.4/10 vs 1.2/10).
- Montgomery has less violent crime (6.4 vs 8.9 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Montgomery has milder winters (48°F vs 25°F average).
- Montgomery gets more sun (213 vs 170 sunny days a year).
| Grand Rapids | Montgomery | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,266/mo | $1,089/mo |
| Median home value | $245k | $162k |
| Median household income | $69k | $57k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,622 | $3,753 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 1.2/10 | 1.4/10 |
| Violent crime | 2.5× the US rate | 1.8× the US rate |
| Summer average | 83°F | 94°F |
| Winter average | 25°F | 48°F |
| Sunny days a year | 170 | 213 |
| Walk score | 55 | 33 |
| Population | 198,535 | 197,494 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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