Hamilton, MT vs Townsend, MT

Townsend is moderately more affordable than Hamilton, with a 8.8% lower cost of living index. Hamilton scores 86 compared to 79 for Townsend, 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 $976/month in Townsend — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hamilton has cheaper rent, Townsend actually has lower median home values ($212,800 vs $299,800).

Median household income in Hamilton is $52,917 compared to $70,774 in Townsend (-25.2%). Townsend 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 16.5% in Townsend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.2°F vs 45.5°F). Hamilton receives more rainfall at 14.1" per year compared to 11.4" in Townsend.