Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Montgomery to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Los Angeles has higher median household income ($81,939 vs $56,811) and home values ($921,200 vs $161,900) than Montgomery, but also substantially higher median gross rent ($1,933 vs $1,089) and longer commute (33 vs 22 minutes). Los Angeles applies a 9.30% state income tax in the calculator, while Montgomery’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption applied equally. These factors create a trade-off: Los Angeles offers greater income and asset potential but at higher housing and time costs, with tax implications factored in; Montgomery provides lower housing burdens and shorter commutes but with lower income and home values. Neither city universally dominates—choice depends on individual priorities regarding income, housing affordability, commute tolerance, and tax considerations.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → MontgomeryMoving from Montgomery to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$844/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$10,128 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+11 min / day
Difference of ~92 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTMON → LAX
35/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$8,160after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Montgomery is about $10,128 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Montgomery household income$56,811
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Montgomery gross rent$1,089
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Montgomery | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 197,494 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $56,811 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,089 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $161,900 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 22 minutes in Montgomery and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
- Uniform non-housing cost baseline
What each city wins
Montgomery
Median rent is below the model’s non-housing baseline.. Watch lower rent may reflect trade-offs in housing quality, age, or location within the city..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Montgomery and Los Angeles relative to income?
Los Angeles has a median gross rent of $1,933/month, 77% higher than Montgomery’s $1,089, while its median household income is only 44% higher. This indicates housing costs consume a larger share of income in Los Angeles despite higher earnings.
What role does commute time play in the livability trade-off between the two cities?
Montgomery’s average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 11 minutes shorter than Los Angeles’ 33 minutes. This difference represents nearly 4 hours less weekly travel time in Montgomery, affecting personal time and transportation costs.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.