Montgomery vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Tacoma
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.5%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to $111,076 in Tacoma.
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 $111,076 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $50,641 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $400,000. The $238,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,468 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $499/month in Tacoma. Montgomery offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Montgomery and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $50,405 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 $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 91 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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