City Comparison

Montpelier vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montpelier

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

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

27.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.2%, with Twin Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to $58,974 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Montpelier
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
104
Montpelier
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
123
Montpelier
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
107
Montpelier
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
107
Montpelier
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $58,974 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $95,380 in Montpelier.

Living in Montpelier vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Twin Falls's 93, 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 $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $466/month in Twin Falls. Twin Falls 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $340 in Twin Falls. 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 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $66,196 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Twin Falls is 27.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,974 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Montpelier's housing index is 131 with median homes at $375,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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