Fort Benton, MT vs Libby, MT

Fort Benton, MT and Libby, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Fort Benton scores 72 while Libby scores 71 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 Fort Benton is $745/month compared to $679/month in Libby — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Libby has cheaper rent, Fort Benton actually has lower median home values ($201,900 vs $218,500).

Median household income in Fort Benton is $67,171 compared to $39,261 in Libby (+71.1%). 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 20.8% in Libby.

Climate-wise, Fort Benton is notably warmer with an average of 44.6°F compared to 38.6°F in Libby. Libby receives more rainfall at 45.1" per year compared to 14.8" in Fort Benton.