Fairview, MT vs Townsend, MT

Fairview is moderately more affordable than Townsend, with a 14% lower cost of living index. Fairview scores 68 compared to 79 for Townsend, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Townsend can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairview is $689/month compared to $976/month in Townsend — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairview is more affordable at $178,800 median vs $212,800.

Median household income in Fairview is $80,903 compared to $70,774 in Townsend (+14.3%). 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 16.5% in Townsend.

Climate-wise, Townsend is notably warmer with an average of 45.5°F compared to 41.7°F in Fairview. Fairview receives more rainfall at 15.1" per year compared to 11.4" in Townsend.