Libby, MT vs Plains, MT

Libby, MT and Plains, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Libby scores 71 while Plains scores 73 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 Libby is $679/month compared to $782/month in Plains — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Libby has cheaper rent, Plains actually has lower median home values ($209,200 vs $218,500).

Median household income in Libby is $39,261 compared to $24,661 in Plains (+59.2%). Libby offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Libby spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 38.1% in Plains. The Libby ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

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