Livingston, MT vs Whitefish, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Livingston is 27.4% cheaper than Whitefish. With a cost index of 91 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Livingston to Whitefish should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Livingston is $987/month compared to $1,313/month in Whitefish — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Livingston is more affordable at $348,700 median vs $648,200.

Median household income in Livingston is $65,187 compared to $71,110 in Whitefish (-8.3%). Whitefish does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Livingston spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Whitefish.

Climate-wise, Livingston is notably warmer with an average of 45.5°F compared to 39.5°F in Whitefish. Whitefish receives more rainfall at 26.1" per year compared to 14.5" in Livingston.