Montpelier vs Tampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Montpelier
Tampa
💡 The Verdict
Tampa is 12% cheaper than Montpelier overall. A $75,000 salary in Montpelier is equivalent to $65,948 in Tampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Montpelier (left) vs Tampa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Montpelier versus Tampa. Differences shown from Montpelier perspective.
| Item | Montpelier | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $920/mo | $1,210/mo | $-290.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,310/mo | $1,700/mo | $-390.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,740/mo | $2,230/mo | $-490.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.09 | $2.84 | +$0.25 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.52 | $4.00 | +$0.52 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.65 | $3.89 | $-0.24 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.06 | $6.15 | $-0.09 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.87 | $3.34 | +$0.53 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.67 | $18.85 | $-1.18 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $65,948 in Tampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $85,294 in Montpelier.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $4126 difference is driven by Vermont having a higher state income tax rate. Vermont details → · Florida details →
Reading These Numbers: Montpelier (116) vs Tampa (102)
Montpelier at 116 is 16% above the US average, while Tampa at 102 is 2% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Montpelier, the composite index of 116 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 98, followed by groceries (114), utilities (116), transportation (120), and healthcare (115). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,310/mo in Montpelier and $1,700/mo in Tampa, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,680.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $23,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $44,000.0 difference in median home prices between Montpelier and Tampa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Montpelier vs Tampa
Choosing between Montpelier and Tampa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Montpelier versus Tampa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.