Fairview, MT vs Manhattan, MT

The cost of living difference between Fairview, MT and Manhattan, MT is dramatic. Fairview is 45% cheaper than Manhattan, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairview has a cost index of 68 while Manhattan sits at 124, 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 Fairview is $689/month compared to $1,700/month in Manhattan — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairview is more affordable at $178,800 median vs $460,400.

Median household income in Fairview is $80,903 compared to $69,671 in Manhattan (+16.1%). Fairview offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairview spend roughly 10.2% of their income on rent, less than the 29.3% in Manhattan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (41.7°F vs 43°F). Fairview receives more rainfall at 15.1" per year compared to 13.4" in Manhattan.