CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 14.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $68,100 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.5%
Anchorage
109.9
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries10.2%
Anchorage
107.3
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation6.5%
Anchorage
108.5
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare6.4%
Anchorage
98.2
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities24.1%
Anchorage
111.8
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$68,100
$11,900 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.8510. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Montgomery, AL

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

Anchorage has 41.5% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

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).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.