Pinesdale, MT vs Red Lodge, MT

Pinesdale, MT and Red Lodge, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Pinesdale scores 88 while Red Lodge scores 87 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 Pinesdale is $1,292/month compared to $805/month in Red Lodge — a 61% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Red Lodge has cheaper rent, Pinesdale actually has lower median home values ($198,100 vs $374,900).

Median household income in Pinesdale is $70,694 compared to $43,857 in Red Lodge (+61.2%). While Pinesdale is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Pinesdale spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Red Lodge.

Climate-wise, Red Lodge is notably warmer with an average of 48.2°F compared to 45.2°F in Pinesdale. Red Lodge receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 14.1" in Pinesdale.