Colstrip, MT vs Lewistown, MT

Colstrip is moderately more affordable than Lewistown, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Colstrip scores 68 compared to 73 for Lewistown, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lewistown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Colstrip is $632/month compared to $896/month in Lewistown — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Colstrip has cheaper rent, Lewistown actually has lower median home values ($159,500 vs $193,700).

Median household income in Colstrip is $86,000 compared to $44,195 in Lewistown (+94.6%). Colstrip offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Colstrip spend roughly 8.8% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Lewistown.