Madison vs Montpelier
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Montpelier
The Verdict
Madison is 9.4% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Madison would need approximately $82,783 in Montpelier 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 Madison has the same purchasing power as $82,783 in Montpelier.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $67,949 in Madison.
Living in Madison vs Montpelier
Housing Costs
Madison's housing index of 115 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $375,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 97 in Madison and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison 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 105 in Madison 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 $67,565 in Madison and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 Utilities, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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