Montpelier vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montpelier
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 44.4%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to $51,923 in Roanoke.
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 $51,923 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $108,333 in Montpelier.
Living in Montpelier vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $225,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Montpelier and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $65,062 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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