Clear Lake, IN vs Montgomery, IN

The cost of living difference between Clear Lake, IN and Montgomery, IN is dramatic. Montgomery is 69.8% cheaper than Clear Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clear Lake has a cost index of 129 while Montgomery sits at 76, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Clear Lake is $1,188/month compared to $827/month in Montgomery — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montgomery is more affordable at $226,000 median vs $741,500.

Median household income in Clear Lake is $101,563 compared to $93,750 in Montgomery (+8.3%). Clear Lake does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Clear Lake spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Montgomery.