Darby, MT vs Fort Benton, MT

Fort Benton is moderately more affordable than Darby, with a 12.8% lower cost of living index. Darby scores 81 compared to 72 for Fort Benton, 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 $745/month in Fort Benton — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Benton is more affordable at $201,900 median vs $263,200.

Median household income in Darby is $40,943 compared to $67,171 in Fort Benton (-39%). 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 Darby spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13.3% in Fort Benton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.2°F vs 44.6°F). Fort Benton receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 14.1" in Darby.