Cost of Living in St. Ignatius, MT

With a cost of living index of 73, St. Ignatius, MT is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 27% cheaper than the national average and 16% below the Montana state average of 89. St. Ignatius is a small community of 1,053 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in St. Ignatius's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $792 (40% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $194,200 (36% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.8x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in St. Ignatius is $50,781, which is 32% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 19% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to St. Ignatius. The area sees an average annual temperature of 45.2°F, with summers averaging 65°F and winters around 26°F. Annual rainfall totals 14.1 inches spread over roughly 124 days. Cold winters mean higher heating bills, an important cost-of-living consideration.

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.