Chester, MT vs Ryegate, MT

Chester, MT and Ryegate, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Chester scores 66 while Ryegate 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 $820/month in Ryegate — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chester has cheaper rent, Ryegate actually has lower median home values ($126,900 vs $156,900).

Median household income in Chester is $53,583 compared to $48,750 in Ryegate (+9.9%). Chester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Ryegate.