Fairfield, MT vs Ryegate, MT

Fairfield, MT and Ryegate, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 70 while Ryegate scores 67 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 Fairfield is $683/month compared to $820/month in Ryegate — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfield has cheaper rent, Ryegate actually has lower median home values ($126,900 vs $203,000).

Median household income in Fairfield is $66,544 compared to $48,750 in Ryegate (+36.5%). 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 Fairfield spend roughly 12.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Ryegate.

Climate-wise, Ryegate is notably warmer with an average of 48.2°F compared to 44.6°F in Fairfield. Fairfield receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 14.3" in Ryegate.