Montpelier vs Nashville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montpelier
Nashville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.7%, with Nashville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to $65,385 in Nashville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $65,385 in Nashville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nashville equals $86,029 in Montpelier.
Living in Montpelier vs Nashville
Housing Costs
Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Nashville's 108, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $380,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,600/mo in Nashville, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 96 in Nashville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $456/month in Nashville. Nashville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 92 in Nashville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $368 in Nashville. 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 107 in Montpelier and 98 in Nashville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $82,600 in Montpelier and $59,828 in Nashville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $58,655 respectively. Montpelier residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $1,396/month in Nashville. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases