Deer Lodge, MT vs Miles City, MT

Deer Lodge, MT and Miles City, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Deer Lodge scores 72 while Miles City scores 76 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 $932/month in Miles City — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Deer Lodge has cheaper rent, Miles City actually has lower median home values ($182,700 vs $196,400).

Median household income in Deer Lodge is $53,676 compared to $60,732 in Miles City (-11.6%). While Miles City 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, less than the 18.4% in Miles City.

Climate-wise, Miles City is notably warmer with an average of 46.2°F compared to 43°F in Deer Lodge. Miles City receives more rainfall at 12.9" per year compared to 12.1" in Deer Lodge.