Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Montgomery?

Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Columbus, GA's $1,090, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Montgomery?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in Montgomery.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Montgomery?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Montgomery Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $1,020 in Montgomery, AL. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $55,687 in Montgomery, AL — about 2% higher in Columbus, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Montgomery, AL

Rent

Studio

$826

$864

+5% in Montgomery, AL

1 Bedroom

$875

$831

+5% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$982

+1% in Columbus, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,172

+4% in Columbus, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$148,500

+19% in Columbus, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$55,687

+2% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$44,950

+3% in Montgomery, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

36.2 yr

+1.1 yr in Montgomery, AL

Homeownership

50.2%

54.3%

+4.1 pp in Montgomery, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

33.5%

+3.8 pp in Montgomery, AL

Avg Commute

20.2 min

20.5 min

+0.3 min in Montgomery, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

605.5

+1% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

2,258.3

+1% in Columbus, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

65.1°F

+0.6°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

53.1 in

+6.3 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Columbus, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

+0% in Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$24.06

+38% in Columbus, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.00%

+0.2 pp in GA

Columbus vs Montgomery — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Montgomery?: Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Columbus, GA's $1,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Montgomery?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in Montgomery.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Montgomery?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).