City Comparison

Montgomery vs West Valley City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

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

West Valley City

Utah
107
Above Average
$485,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$72,600
Median Income

The Verdict

26.2%

Living in Montgomery costs 26.2% less than West Valley City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $101,582 in West Valley City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
49
Montgomery
129
West Valley City
Groceries
99
Montgomery
100
West Valley City
Utilities
115
Montgomery
88
West Valley City
Transportation
92
Montgomery
106
West Valley City
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
95
West Valley City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $101,582 in West Valley City.

Conversely, $75,000 in West Valley City equals $55,374 in Montgomery.

Living in Montgomery vs West Valley City

Housing Costs

Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower West Valley City's 129, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $485,000. The $323,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,000 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,350/mo in West Valley City, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 100 in West Valley City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $475/month in West Valley City. 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 88 in West Valley City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $352 in West Valley City. 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 95 in West Valley City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $72,600 in West Valley City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $67,850 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 $1,694/month in West Valley City. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In West Valley City, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 26.2% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,582 in West Valley City, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while West Valley City's is 129 with median homes at $485,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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