Ashland, MT vs Big Sky, MT

The cost of living difference between Ashland, MT and Big Sky, MT is dramatic. Ashland is 60.3% cheaper than Big Sky, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ashland has a cost index of 63 while Big Sky sits at 159, 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 Ashland is $638/month compared to $1,712/month in Big Sky — a 63% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ashland is more affordable at $137,500 median vs $884,700.

Median household income in Ashland is $39,429 compared to $103,625 in Big Sky (-62%). While Big Sky is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashland spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Big Sky.