Montgomery vs Chandler: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Montgomery, Alabama compare to Chandler, Arizona? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Montgomery is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 67% lower in Montgomery compared to Chandler, while rent is 39% lower. State income tax is 5% in AL vs 2.5% in AZ.
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Chandler, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $141,900 | $423,900 | -66.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,026 | $1,675 | -38.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $54,166 | $99,374 | -45.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,549 | $48,987 | -35.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 2.5% | +100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.2% | 8.4% | +10.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 199,819 | 275,618 | -27.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Montgomery
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Chandler
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Montgomery costs $141,900 compared to $423,900 in Chandler — a 67% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,026/mo in Montgomery vs $1,675/mo in Chandler.
- Income: Median household income is $54,166 in Montgomery and $99,374 in Chandler.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5% in Alabama vs 2.5% in Arizona.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).