Deer Lodge, MT vs Laurel, MT

Deer Lodge is moderately more affordable than Laurel, with a 9% lower cost of living index. Deer Lodge scores 72 compared to 80 for Laurel, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Laurel can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Deer Lodge is $781/month compared to $953/month in Laurel — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Deer Lodge is more affordable at $196,400 median vs $232,700.

Median household income in Deer Lodge is $53,676 compared to $66,382 in Laurel (-19.1%). While Laurel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Deer Lodge spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Laurel.

Climate-wise, Laurel is notably warmer with an average of 48.2°F compared to 43°F in Deer Lodge. Laurel receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 12.1" in Deer Lodge.