East Missoula, MT vs Fairfield, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fairfield is 29.8% cheaper than East Missoula. With a cost index of 70 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fairfield to East Missoula should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Missoula is $1,039/month compared to $683/month in Fairfield — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield is more affordable at $203,000 median vs $323,900.

Median household income in East Missoula is $65,541 compared to $66,544 in Fairfield (-1.5%). Fairfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Missoula spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Fairfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.2°F vs 44.6°F). Fairfield receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 14.1" in East Missoula.