City Comparison

Irving vs Montpelier

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Montpelier

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

The Verdict

14.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.5%, with Irving being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $87,750 in Montpelier.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
131
Montpelier
Groceries
99
Irving
104
Montpelier
Utilities
111
Irving
123
Montpelier
Transportation
97
Irving
107
Montpelier
Healthcare
103
Irving
107
Montpelier

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $87,750 in Montpelier.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $64,103 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Montpelier

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $375,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $70,598 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 14.5% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,750 in Montpelier, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Montpelier's is 131 with median homes at $375,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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