Auburn, AL vs Montgomery, AL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Montgomery is 18.9% cheaper than Auburn. With a cost index of 76 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Montgomery to Auburn should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,034/month compared to $1,059/month in Montgomery — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Montgomery actually has lower median home values ($148,500 vs $342,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $56,123 compared to $55,687 in Montgomery (+0.8%). Auburn does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Montgomery.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.6°F vs 66.4°F). Montgomery receives more rainfall at 51.2" per year compared to 48.8" in Auburn.