CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 14.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $68,200 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing59.0%
Boulder
157
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boulder
96.1
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Boulder
104.8
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Boulder
94.8
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities+2.7%
Boulder
82.7
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$68,200
$11,800 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.8527. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Montgomery, AL

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

Boulder has 59.0% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

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).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.