Cut Bank, MT vs Fort Benton, MT

Cut Bank, MT and Fort Benton, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Cut Bank scores 74 while Fort Benton scores 72 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 Cut Bank is $921/month compared to $745/month in Fort Benton — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Benton has cheaper rent, Cut Bank actually has lower median home values ($161,400 vs $201,900).

Median household income in Cut Bank is $55,848 compared to $67,171 in Fort Benton (-16.9%). Fort Benton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cut Bank spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.3% in Fort Benton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (41.8°F vs 44.6°F). Fort Benton receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 10.8" in Cut Bank.