Matthews, IN vs Montpelier, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Montpelier is 23.6% cheaper than Matthews. With a cost index of 57 vs 71, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Montpelier to Matthews should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Matthews is $1,040/month compared to $649/month in Montpelier — a 60% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Montpelier has cheaper rent, Matthews actually has lower median home values ($77,000 vs $77,100).

Median household income in Matthews is $45,833 compared to $42,833 in Montpelier (+7%). Matthews 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 Matthews spend roughly 27.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Montpelier.