Dillon, MT vs Whitefish, MT

The cost of living difference between Dillon, MT and Whitefish, MT is dramatic. Dillon is 38.7% cheaper than Whitefish, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dillon has a cost index of 77 while Whitefish sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Dillon is $821/month compared to $1,313/month in Whitefish — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dillon is more affordable at $237,500 median vs $648,200.

Median household income in Dillon is $51,458 compared to $71,110 in Whitefish (-27.6%). The higher salaries in Whitefish partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Dillon spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Whitefish.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (41.8°F vs 39.5°F). Whitefish receives more rainfall at 26.1" per year compared to 9.8" in Dillon.