City Comparison

Little Rock vs Montpelier

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$47,638
Median Income

Montpelier

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

The Verdict

28.2%

Little Rock is 28.2% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Little Rock would need approximately $104,464 in Montpelier to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
131
Montpelier
Groceries
94
Little Rock
104
Montpelier
Utilities
88
Little Rock
123
Montpelier
Transportation
98
Little Rock
107
Montpelier
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
107
Montpelier

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $104,464 in Montpelier.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $53,846 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Montpelier

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $375,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $494/month in Montpelier. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Little Rock and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock 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 90 in Little Rock and 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,638 in Little Rock and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 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 $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/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 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 28.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,464 in Montpelier, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Montpelier's is 131 with median homes at $375,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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