Montpelier vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montpelier
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 13.6% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montpelier would need approximately $66,026 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $66,026 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $85,194 in Montpelier.
Living in Montpelier vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $419,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 123 in Montpelier and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $408 in Surprise. 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 Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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