CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is slightly cheaper than Abilene — 0.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $79,400 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing12.9%
Abilene
73.8
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Abilene
93.8
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Abilene
101.1
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Abilene
91.4
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities+4.6%
Abilene
81.2
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Montgomery to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$79,400
$600 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 0.9923. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
64.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Abilene has 12.9% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Montgomery, AL

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
199,518
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.