Erie vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Erie
Montgomery
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.5%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to $73,148 in Montgomery.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Erie has the same purchasing power as $73,148 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $76,899 in Erie.
Living in Erie vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Erie's housing index of 55 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $162,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie 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 109 in Erie and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie vs $460 in Montgomery. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 89 in Erie and 78 in Montgomery. 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 $43,400 in Erie and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 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 $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Erie, median rent of $925/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 Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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