City Comparison

Gresham vs Montpelier

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

Montpelier

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

The Verdict

9.4%

Living in Montpelier costs 9.4% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gresham, you would need $68,555 in Montpelier.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
172
Gresham
131
Montpelier
Groceries
101
Gresham
104
Montpelier
Utilities
96
Gresham
123
Montpelier
Transportation
126
Gresham
107
Montpelier
Healthcare
103
Gresham
107
Montpelier

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $68,555 in Montpelier.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $82,051 in Gresham.

Living in Gresham vs Montpelier

Housing Costs

Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $375,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham vs $494/month in Montpelier. 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 96 in Gresham and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham 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 103 in Gresham 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 $69,600 in Gresham 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 $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montpelier is 9.4% more affordable overall with an index of 117 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,555 in Montpelier, based on the cost of living difference.
Gresham's housing index is 172 with median homes at $459,000, while Montpelier's is 131 with median homes at $375,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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