CostIndexUSA

Montgomery, AL vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Montgomery is moderately cheaper than Worcester — 14.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $91,400 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+75.7%
Montgomery
64.3
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Montgomery
96.4
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Montgomery
101.5
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Montgomery
91.9
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+82.8%
Montgomery
84.9
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$91,400
$11,400 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 89.7) = salary × 1.1427. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Montgomery, AL

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

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 75.7% higher housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Montgomery, AL

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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
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.