Cost of Living in Montana
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 469 cities in MT. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Montana is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Montana, with comparisons to national averages.
Montana's average home value of $203,138 is 17% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $47,857, and average monthly rent is $370.
Most Affordable Cities in Montana
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewistown | $159,500 | $896/mo | $44,195 | 6,028 |
| 2 | Miles City | $182,700 | $932/mo | $60,732 | 8,412 |
| 3 | Havre | $197,600 | $802/mo | $58,000 | 9,333 |
| 4 | Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana | $209,700 | $661/mo | $49,533 | 9,512 |
| 5 | Butte-Silver Bow (balance), Montana | $225,100 | $808/mo | $57,633 | 34,929 |
| 6 | Laurel | $232,700 | $953/mo | $66,382 | 7,198 |
| 7 | Great Falls | $237,400 | $866/mo | $63,934 | 60,412 |
| 8 | Sidney | $249,100 | $890/mo | $62,992 | 6,235 |
| 9 | Lockwood | $250,900 | $995/mo | $74,451 | 7,474 |
| 10 | Evergreen | $271,700 | $1,140/mo | $73,015 | 8,908 |
| 11 | Helena Valley Southeast | $308,000 | $1,231/mo | $63,824 | 9,533 |
| 12 | Billings | $311,800 | $1,097/mo | $71,855 | 118,321 |
| 13 | Polson | $321,000 | $921/mo | $51,463 | 5,334 |
| 14 | Columbia Falls | $346,700 | $1,003/mo | $65,313 | 5,531 |
| 15 | Livingston | $348,700 | $987/mo | $65,187 | 8,635 |
Most Expensive Cities in Montana
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish | $648,200 | $1,313/mo | $71,110 | 8,422 |
| 2 | Four Corners | $620,200 | $1,192/mo | $111,474 | 5,562 |
| 3 | Bozeman | $614,900 | $1,611/mo | $79,903 | 55,042 |
| 4 | Bigfork | $614,300 | $1,103/mo | $82,648 | 5,249 |
| 5 | Orchard Homes | $473,100 | $962/mo | $68,649 | 5,280 |
| 6 | Belgrade | $469,600 | $1,582/mo | $88,896 | 11,425 |
| 7 | Missoula | $427,400 | $1,120/mo | $65,329 | 75,600 |
| 8 | Kalispell | $381,400 | $1,019/mo | $61,590 | 26,830 |
| 9 | Helena Valley Northwest | $358,600 | $1,640/mo | $101,278 | 5,070 |
| 10 | Helena | $355,100 | $1,058/mo | $69,341 | 33,126 |
Highest Income Cities in Montana
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four Corners | $111,474 | $620,200 | 5,562 |
| 2 | Helena Valley Northwest | $101,278 | $358,600 | 5,070 |
| 3 | Helena Valley West Central | $89,040 | $352,800 | 8,224 |
| 4 | Belgrade | $88,896 | $469,600 | 11,425 |
| 5 | Bigfork | $82,648 | $614,300 | 5,249 |
| 6 | Bozeman | $79,903 | $614,900 | 55,042 |
| 7 | Lockwood | $74,451 | $250,900 | 7,474 |
| 8 | Evergreen | $73,015 | $271,700 | 8,908 |
| 9 | Billings | $71,855 | $311,800 | 118,321 |
| 10 | Whitefish | $71,110 | $648,200 | 8,422 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Montana
What is the average cost of living in Montana?
The average median home value across Montana cities is $203,138, with average rent of $370/month. The average median household income is $47,857.
What are the cheapest cities in Montana?
The most affordable cities in Montana by home value include Lewistown ($159,500), Miles City ($182,700), Havre ($197,600).
What is the most expensive city in Montana?
The most expensive city in Montana is Whitefish with a median home value of $648,200.
How does Montana compare to the national average?
Montana's average home value of $203,138 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $370/month is below the US average of $1,163.