Cut Bank, MT vs Plains, MT

Cut Bank, MT and Plains, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Cut Bank scores 74 while Plains scores 73 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 $782/month in Plains — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Plains has cheaper rent, Cut Bank actually has lower median home values ($161,400 vs $209,200).

Median household income in Cut Bank is $55,848 compared to $24,661 in Plains (+126.5%). While Cut Bank is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cut Bank spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 38.1% in Plains. The Cut Bank ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Plains is notably warmer with an average of 47.7°F compared to 41.8°F in Cut Bank. Plains receives more rainfall at 16.4" per year compared to 10.8" in Cut Bank.