Montgomery vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Odessa
The Verdict
Montgomery is 7.1% less expensive than Odessa overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montgomery would need approximately $80,696 in Odessa 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 Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $80,696 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $69,706 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $223,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $400 in Odessa. 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 78 in Montgomery and 96 in Odessa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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