Montgomery vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Springfield
The Verdict
Montgomery is 26.2% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montgomery would need approximately $101,582 in Springfield 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 $101,582 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $55,374 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $230,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $494/month in Springfield. 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 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $476 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases