Gardiner, MT vs Stevensville, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Stevensville is 17.3% cheaper than Gardiner. With a cost index of 91 vs 107, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Stevensville to Gardiner should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gardiner is $795/month compared to $1,013/month in Stevensville — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gardiner has cheaper rent, Stevensville actually has lower median home values ($336,500 vs $609,200).

Median household income in Gardiner is $57,835 compared to $52,745 in Stevensville (+9.7%). The higher salaries in Gardiner partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardiner spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Stevensville.

Climate-wise, Stevensville is notably warmer with an average of 45.2°F compared to 32°F in Gardiner. Gardiner receives more rainfall at 23.1" per year compared to 14.1" in Stevensville.