Fort Benton, MT vs Hardin, MT

Hardin is moderately more affordable than Fort Benton, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Fort Benton scores 72 compared to 66 for Hardin, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Benton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Benton is $745/month compared to $726/month in Hardin — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hardin is more affordable at $142,800 median vs $201,900.

Median household income in Fort Benton is $67,171 compared to $60,463 in Hardin (+11.1%). While Fort Benton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Benton spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 14.4% in Hardin.

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