Hot Springs, MT vs Thompson Falls, MT

Hot Springs, MT and Thompson Falls, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Hot Springs scores 65 while Thompson Falls scores 65 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 Hot Springs is $683/month compared to $575/month in Thompson Falls — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thompson Falls has cheaper rent, Hot Springs actually has lower median home values ($139,100 vs $182,200).

Median household income in Hot Springs is $21,319 compared to $53,203 in Thompson Falls (-59.9%). While Thompson Falls is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hot Springs spend roughly 38.4% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in Thompson Falls. The Thompson Falls ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Hot Springs is notably warmer with an average of 47.7°F compared to 38.6°F in Thompson Falls. Thompson Falls receives more rainfall at 45.1" per year compared to 16.4" in Hot Springs.