Montgomery vs Surprise

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 $97,785 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $57,524 in Montgomery.

Living in Montgomery vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $419,000. The $257,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,704 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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