Montgomery vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Roanoke
The Verdict
Montgomery is 2.5% less expensive than Roanoke overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montgomery would need approximately $76,899 in Roanoke 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 $76,899 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $73,148 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $225,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $65,062 respectively. Montgomery residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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