Boston vs Montpelier
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston
Montpelier
The Verdict
Montpelier is 38.5% less expensive than Boston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boston would need approximately $54,167 in Montpelier to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $54,167 in Montpelier.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $103,846 in Boston.
Living in Boston vs Montpelier
Housing Costs
Boston's housing index of 242 is higher Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $620,000 vs $375,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,800/mo in Boston compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $1,400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Boston and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Boston vs $494/month in Montpelier. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Boston and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Boston vs $492 in Montpelier. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 118 in Boston and 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,098 and $70,598 respectively. Montpelier 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 $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Boston, median rent of $2,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 111 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases