Fishers vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fishers
Montgomery
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 34.2%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fishers has equivalent purchasing power to $55,896 in Montgomery.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fishers has the same purchasing power as $55,896 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $100,633 in Fishers.
Living in Fishers vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Fishers's housing index of 120 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $391,000 vs $162,000. The $229,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Fishers compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fishers and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fishers 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 100 in Fishers and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Fishers 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 99 in Fishers and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $130,200 in Fishers and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $122,830 and $71,899 respectively. Fishers residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,038/month to housing in Fishers vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Fishers, median rent of $1,475/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 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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