Boston vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston
Montgomery
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 105.1%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Boston has equivalent purchasing power to $36,574 in Montgomery.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boston has the same purchasing power as $36,574 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $153,797 in Boston.
Living in Boston vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Boston's housing index of 242 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $620,000 vs $162,000. The $458,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,800/mo in Boston compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $1,800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Boston and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Boston vs $470/month in Montgomery. Montgomery offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Boston and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Boston vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 118 in Boston and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 40-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $76,298 in Boston and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,098 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,780/month to housing in Boston vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Boston, median rent of $2,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 193 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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