Darby, MT vs Elliston, MT

Elliston is moderately more affordable than Darby, with a 5.9% lower cost of living index. Darby scores 81 compared to 76 for Elliston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Darby can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Darby is $883/month compared to $775/month in Elliston — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elliston is more affordable at $248,300 median vs $263,200.

Median household income in Darby is $40,943 compared to $41,719 in Elliston (-1.9%). Elliston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Darby spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 22.3% in Elliston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.2°F vs 45.5°F). Darby receives more rainfall at 14.1" per year compared to 11.4" in Elliston.