Laurel, MT vs Miles City, MT

Laurel, MT and Miles City, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Laurel scores 80 while Miles City scores 76 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 Laurel is $953/month compared to $932/month in Miles City — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Miles City is more affordable at $182,700 median vs $232,700.

Median household income in Laurel is $66,382 compared to $60,732 in Miles City (+9.3%). While Laurel is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Laurel spend roughly 17.2% 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). Laurel receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 12.9" in Miles City.