Kootenai, ID vs Montpelier, ID

The cost of living difference between Kootenai, ID and Montpelier, ID is dramatic. Montpelier is 60.4% cheaper than Kootenai, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kootenai has a cost index of 107 while Montpelier sits at 67, 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 Kootenai is $1,646/month compared to $639/month in Montpelier — a 158% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montpelier is more affordable at $185,600 median vs $306,200.

Median household income in Kootenai is $69,457 compared to $52,212 in Montpelier (+33%). The higher salaries in Kootenai partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Kootenai spend roughly 28.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Montpelier.