Glendive, MT vs Whitefish, MT

The cost of living difference between Glendive, MT and Whitefish, MT is dramatic. Glendive is 42.4% cheaper than Whitefish, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Glendive has a cost index of 72 while Whitefish sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Glendive is $832/month compared to $1,313/month in Whitefish — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Glendive is more affordable at $176,900 median vs $648,200.

Median household income in Glendive is $71,063 compared to $71,110 in Whitefish (-0.1%). Whitefish 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 Glendive spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Whitefish.

Climate-wise, Glendive is notably warmer with an average of 43.5°F compared to 39.5°F in Whitefish. Whitefish receives more rainfall at 26.1" per year compared to 14.6" in Glendive.