Laurel, MT vs Livingston, MT

Laurel is moderately more affordable than Livingston, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Laurel scores 80 compared to 91 for Livingston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Livingston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Laurel is $953/month compared to $987/month in Livingston — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laurel is more affordable at $232,700 median vs $348,700.

Median household income in Laurel is $66,382 compared to $65,187 in Livingston (+1.8%). Laurel offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Laurel spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in Livingston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.2°F vs 45.5°F). Livingston receives more rainfall at 14.5" per year compared to 14.3" in Laurel.