Chicago, IL vs Montgomery, AL
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Montgomery runs $149,000 versus $315,000 in Chicago, a 53% gap that dominates most relocation math.
Median Home Value
$315,200
$148,500 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$147,533
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$1,059/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
54.3%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
11.7x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$55,687
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$32,068
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
6.5% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
20.9%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
22.1 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
80.2%
Public Transit %
19.3%
0.4%
Work From Home %
18.3%
7.2%
State Income Tax
5.0%
5.0%
Total Sales Tax
8.7% ✓
9.2%
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.4%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
19.4%
Median Age
35.7
36.2
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
—
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
54.6"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
Montgomery, AL 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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