Deer Lodge, MT vs Fort Benton, MT

Deer Lodge, MT and Fort Benton, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Deer Lodge scores 72 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 Deer Lodge is $781/month compared to $745/month in Fort Benton — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Benton has cheaper rent, Deer Lodge actually has lower median home values ($196,400 vs $201,900).

Median household income in Deer Lodge is $53,676 compared to $67,171 in Fort Benton (-20.1%). 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 Deer Lodge spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.3% in Fort Benton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43°F vs 44.6°F). Fort Benton receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 12.1" in Deer Lodge.