CostIndexUSA

Montgomery, AL vs San Bernardino, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
CA
San Bernardino
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Montgomery is significantly cheaper than San Bernardino — 18.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $94,900 in San Bernardino. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+101.1%
Montgomery
64.3
San Bernardino
129.3
🛒 Groceries+5.2%
Montgomery
96.4
San Bernardino
101.4
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Montgomery
101.5
San Bernardino
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.7%
Montgomery
91.9
San Bernardino
96.2
Utilities+75.0%
Montgomery
84.9
San Bernardino
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Bernardino, CA
$94,900
$14,900 more needed in San Bernardino

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 89.7) = salary × 1.1862. 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×

San Bernardino, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

San Bernardino has 101.1% 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

San Bernardino, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
222,101
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsGovernmentRetailManufacturing

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)

San Bernardino, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.