Gardiner, MT vs Three Forks, MT

Gardiner, MT and Three Forks, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Gardiner scores 107 while Three Forks scores 104 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 Gardiner is $795/month compared to $1,263/month in Three Forks — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gardiner has cheaper rent, Three Forks actually has lower median home values ($382,400 vs $609,200).

Median household income in Gardiner is $57,835 compared to $80,394 in Three Forks (-28.1%). Three Forks offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardiner spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Three Forks.

Climate-wise, Three Forks is notably warmer with an average of 43°F compared to 32°F in Gardiner. Gardiner receives more rainfall at 23.1" per year compared to 13.4" in Three Forks.