Columbus, MT vs Hamilton, MT

Columbus is moderately more affordable than Hamilton, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Columbus scores 81 compared to 86 for Hamilton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hamilton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Columbus is $926/month compared to $958/month in Hamilton — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Columbus is more affordable at $264,000 median vs $299,800.

Median household income in Columbus is $62,500 compared to $52,917 in Hamilton (+18.1%). Columbus offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbus spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Hamilton.