CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $72,700 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.2%
Harrisburg
96.3
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries4.3%
Harrisburg
100.7
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Harrisburg
102.6
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Harrisburg
92.8
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities21.5%
Harrisburg
108.1
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.9088. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Montgomery, AL

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

Harrisburg has 33.2% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Harrisburg, PA
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.