Montpelier vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montpelier
Yuma
The Verdict
Yuma is 27.2% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Montpelier would need approximately $58,974 in Yuma 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 $58,974 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $95,380 in Montpelier.
Living in Montpelier vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $284,000. The $91,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,916 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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