Fort Benton, MT vs Lolo, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fort Benton is 25.3% cheaper than Lolo. With a cost index of 72 vs 96, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fort Benton to Lolo should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Benton is $745/month compared to $1,126/month in Lolo — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Benton is more affordable at $201,900 median vs $353,700.

Median household income in Fort Benton is $67,171 compared to $73,700 in Lolo (-8.9%). Lolo does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Benton spend roughly 13.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Lolo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 45.2°F). Fort Benton receives more rainfall at 14.8" per year compared to 14.1" in Lolo.