Lewistown, MT vs Whitefish, MT

The cost of living difference between Lewistown, MT and Whitefish, MT is dramatic. Lewistown is 42% cheaper than Whitefish, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lewistown has a cost index of 73 while Whitefish sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lewistown is $896/month compared to $1,313/month in Whitefish — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lewistown is more affordable at $159,500 median vs $648,200.

Median household income in Lewistown is $44,195 compared to $71,110 in Whitefish (-37.8%). The higher salaries in Whitefish partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lewistown spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.2% in Whitefish.

Climate-wise, Lewistown is notably warmer with an average of 43.1°F compared to 39.5°F in Whitefish. Whitefish receives more rainfall at 26.1" per year compared to 17.2" in Lewistown.