Miles City, MT vs Whitefish, MT

The cost of living difference between Miles City, MT and Whitefish, MT is dramatic. Miles City is 39.6% cheaper than Whitefish, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Miles City has a cost index of 76 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 Miles City is $932/month compared to $1,313/month in Whitefish — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Miles City is more affordable at $182,700 median vs $648,200.

Median household income in Miles City is $60,732 compared to $71,110 in Whitefish (-14.6%). 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 Miles City spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Whitefish.

Climate-wise, Miles City is notably warmer with an average of 46.2°F compared to 39.5°F in Whitefish. Whitefish receives more rainfall at 26.1" per year compared to 12.9" in Miles City.