City Comparison

Carson City vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Carson City

Nevada
109
Above Average
$538,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

38.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.0%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Carson City has equivalent purchasing power to $54,358 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
135
Carson City
49
Montgomery
Groceries
103
Carson City
99
Montgomery
Utilities
82
Carson City
115
Montgomery
Transportation
108
Carson City
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
95
Carson City
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Carson City has the same purchasing power as $54,358 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $103,481 in Carson City.

Living in Carson City vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Carson City's housing index of 135 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $538,000 vs $162,000. The $376,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Carson City compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Carson City and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Carson City vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 82 in Carson City and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Carson City 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 95 in Carson City and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $72,400 in Carson City and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,422 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 $1,689/month to housing in Carson City vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Carson City, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. 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 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 38.0% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Carson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,358 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Carson City's housing index is 135 with median homes at $538,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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