City Comparison

Montgomery vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

9.2%

Living in Montgomery costs 9.2% less than Springdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $82,595 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
49
Montgomery
86
Springdale
Groceries
99
Montgomery
97
Springdale
Utilities
115
Montgomery
93
Springdale
Transportation
92
Montgomery
91
Springdale
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $82,595 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $68,103 in Montgomery.

Living in Montgomery vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $299,000. The $137,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $372 in Springdale. 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 82 in Springdale. 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 $56,800 in Montgomery and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $71,379 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 9.2% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,595 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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