Glendale vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Glendale
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 43.0% less expensive than Glendale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Glendale would need approximately $52,434 in Montgomery 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 Glendale has the same purchasing power as $52,434 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $107,278 in Glendale.
Living in Glendale vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $162,000. The $243,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,792 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale 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 98 in Glendale and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale 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 94 in Glendale and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,100 in Glendale and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 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 $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/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 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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