Hamilton, MT vs Miles City, MT

Miles City is moderately more affordable than Hamilton, with a 13.7% lower cost of living index. Hamilton scores 86 compared to 76 for Miles City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hamilton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hamilton is $958/month compared to $932/month in Miles City — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Miles City is more affordable at $182,700 median vs $299,800.

Median household income in Hamilton is $52,917 compared to $60,732 in Miles City (-12.9%). Miles City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hamilton spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Miles City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.2°F vs 46.2°F). Hamilton receives more rainfall at 14.1" per year compared to 12.9" in Miles City.