City Comparison

Montpelier vs Provo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

Provo

Utah
104
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,048
Median Income

The Verdict

12.5%

Living in Provo costs 12.5% less than Montpelier. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montpelier, you would need $66,667 in Provo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Montpelier
112
Provo
Groceries
104
Montpelier
98
Provo
Utilities
123
Montpelier
87
Provo
Transportation
107
Montpelier
101
Provo
Healthcare
107
Montpelier
97
Provo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $66,667 in Provo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $84,375 in Montpelier.

Living in Montpelier vs Provo

Housing Costs

Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Provo's 112, 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 $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $466/month in Provo. Provo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $348 in Provo. 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 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $49,085 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 $1,191/month in Provo. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Provo is 12.5% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,667 in Provo, based on the cost of living difference.
Montpelier's housing index is 131 with median homes at $375,000, while Provo's is 112 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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