City Comparison

Montgomery vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

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

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

3.7%

Living in Montgomery costs 3.7% less than Youngstown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $77,848 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
49
Montgomery
41
Youngstown
Groceries
99
Montgomery
98
Youngstown
Utilities
115
Montgomery
96
Youngstown
Transportation
92
Montgomery
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $77,848 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $72,256 in Montgomery.

Living in Montgomery vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Montgomery's housing index of 49 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $102,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 3.7% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 82.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,848 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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