Chester, MT vs Dutton, MT

Chester, MT and Dutton, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Chester scores 66 while Dutton scores 67 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $662/month compared to $788/month in Dutton — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chester has cheaper rent, Dutton actually has lower median home values ($129,500 vs $156,900).

Median household income in Chester is $53,583 compared to $55,469 in Dutton (-3.4%). While Dutton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17% in Dutton.