City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Montpelier

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

The Verdict

18.8%

Cheyenne is 18.8% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cheyenne would need approximately $92,368 in Montpelier to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Cheyenne
131
Montpelier
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
104
Montpelier
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
123
Montpelier
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
107
Montpelier
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
107
Montpelier

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $92,368 in Montpelier.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $60,897 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Montpelier

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $375,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $494/month in Montpelier. Cheyenne offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $492 in Montpelier. 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 100 in Cheyenne and 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 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 $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. 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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheyenne is 18.8% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,368 in Montpelier, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Montpelier's is 131 with median homes at $375,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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