Dayton vs Montpelier
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Montpelier
The Verdict
Dayton is 31.6% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $109,688 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 Dayton has the same purchasing power as $109,688 in Montpelier.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $51,282 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Montpelier
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $375,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $494/month in Montpelier. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton 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 114 in Dayton 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 $43,500 in Dayton and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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