Big Sky, MT vs Fairview, MT

The cost of living difference between Big Sky, MT and Fairview, MT is dramatic. Fairview is 133.4% cheaper than Big Sky, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Big Sky has a cost index of 159 while Fairview sits at 68, 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 Big Sky is $1,712/month compared to $689/month in Fairview — a 149% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairview is more affordable at $178,800 median vs $884,700.

Median household income in Big Sky is $103,625 compared to $80,903 in Fairview (+28.1%). Big Sky 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 Big Sky spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 10.2% in Fairview.