Cost of Living in Chinook, MT

With a cost of living index of 74, Chinook, MT is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 26% cheaper than the national average and 14% below the Montana state average of 89. Chinook is a small community of 1,460 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Chinook's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $811 (39% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $205,900 (32% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.9x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Chinook is $71,500, which is 5% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 14% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.