Montgomery vs Montpelier
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Montpelier
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.5%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to $111,076 in Montpelier.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $111,076 in Montpelier.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $50,641 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Montpelier
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $375,000. The $213,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,848 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $492 in Montpelier. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $70,598 respectively. Montgomery residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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