CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is slightly cheaper than Champaign — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $77,400 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.2%
Champaign
71.6
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries+3.0%
Champaign
93.6
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Champaign
104.6
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Champaign
94.6
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities6.2%
Champaign
90.5
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9676. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Montgomery, AL

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

Champaign has 10.2% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

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).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.