Plains, MT vs Rudyard, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Rudyard is 24% cheaper than Plains. With a cost index of 59 vs 73, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Rudyard to Plains should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Plains is $782/month compared to $625/month in Rudyard — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rudyard is more affordable at $93,800 median vs $209,200.

Median household income in Plains is $24,661 compared to $86,250 in Rudyard (-71.4%). Rudyard offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Plains spend roughly 38.1% of their income on rent, more than the 8.7% in Rudyard. The Rudyard 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 43.6°F in Rudyard. Plains receives more rainfall at 16.4" per year compared to 11.8" in Rudyard.