Dutton, MT vs Fairfield, MT

Dutton, MT and Fairfield, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Dutton scores 67 while Fairfield scores 70 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 Dutton is $788/month compared to $683/month in Fairfield — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfield has cheaper rent, Dutton actually has lower median home values ($129,500 vs $203,000).

Median household income in Dutton is $55,469 compared to $66,544 in Fairfield (-16.6%). While Fairfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dutton spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Fairfield.

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