Elliston, MT vs Hot Springs, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hot Springs is 18.1% cheaper than Elliston. With a cost index of 65 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hot Springs to Elliston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Elliston is $775/month compared to $683/month in Hot Springs — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hot Springs is more affordable at $139,100 median vs $248,300.

Median household income in Elliston is $41,719 compared to $21,319 in Hot Springs (+95.7%). While Elliston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elliston spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, less than the 38.4% in Hot Springs. The Elliston ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.5°F vs 47.7°F). Hot Springs receives more rainfall at 16.4" per year compared to 11.4" in Elliston.