Cooke City, MT vs Ryegate, MT

The cost of living difference between Cooke City, MT and Ryegate, MT is dramatic. Ryegate is 48.7% cheaper than Cooke City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cooke City has a cost index of 99 while Ryegate sits at 67, 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 Cooke City is $1,225/month compared to $820/month in Ryegate — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ryegate is more affordable at $126,900 median vs $362,500.

Median household income in Cooke City is $41,750 compared to $48,750 in Ryegate (-14.4%). Ryegate offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cooke City spend roughly 35.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in Ryegate. The Ryegate ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.