Hardin, MT vs Miles City, MT

Hardin is moderately more affordable than Miles City, with a 12.6% lower cost of living index. Hardin scores 66 compared to 76 for Miles City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Miles City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hardin is $726/month compared to $932/month in Miles City — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hardin is more affordable at $142,800 median vs $182,700.

Median household income in Hardin is $60,463 compared to $60,732 in Miles City (-0.4%). Miles City 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 Hardin spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Miles City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.2°F vs 46.2°F). Hardin receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 12.9" in Miles City.