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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in Montana, 2026

Anaconda-Deer Lodge County is the most affordable ranked town in Montana. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

26
Towns ranked in Montana.
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Number 1 in Montana. Rent is 14.5% of income. National rank 354.
18.5%
Median rent share among ranked towns in Montana.
0
Ranked Montana towns in the national top 100.
Bozeman
Least affordable ranked town in Montana. Rent is 24.0% of income. National rank 3988.

Gasoline

$4.575

per gallon. EIA does not publish a Montana price. This is the Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $2,196.00 a year for every ranked town in Montana.

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Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: Montana." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/montana

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Benefits and taxes in Montana

Top 25

  1. #1 in Montana · National #354

    Anaconda-Deer Lodge County

    Rent share 14.5% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.240

    Median rent is $696 a month and median income is $57,527, so rent is 14.5% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  2. #2 in Montana · National #487

    Miles City

    Rent share 16.4% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.255

    Median rent is $926 a month and median income is $67,727, so rent is 16.4% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  3. #3 in Montana · National #543

    Laurel

    Rent share 17.1% · Price level 93.5 · Score 0.263

    Median rent is $974 a month and median income is $68,474, so rent is 17.1% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Billings, MT metro price level is 93.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  4. #4 in Montana · National #716

    Columbia Falls

    Rent share 16.1% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.280

    Median rent is $1,016 a month and median income is $75,766, so rent is 16.1% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  5. #5 in Montana · National #720

    Lockwood

    Rent share 18.0% · Price level 93.5 · Score 0.281

    Median rent is $1,138 a month and median income is $75,700, so rent is 18.0% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Billings, MT metro price level is 93.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  6. #6 in Montana · National #797

    Sidney

    Rent share 17.9% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.287

    Median rent is $931 a month and median income is $62,538, so rent is 17.9% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  7. #7 in Montana · National #827

    Bigfork

    Rent share 14.3% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.290

    Median rent is $1,016 a month and median income is $85,307, so rent is 14.3% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  8. #8 in Montana · National #927

    Great Falls

    Rent share 17.0% · Price level 96.8 · Score 0.298

    Median rent is $900 a month and median income is $63,373, so rent is 17.0% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Great Falls, MT metro price level is 96.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  9. #9 in Montana · National #1050

    Billings

    Rent share 18.5% · Price level 93.5 · Score 0.307

    Median rent is $1,138 a month and median income is $73,712, so rent is 18.5% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Billings, MT metro price level is 93.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  10. #10 in Montana · National #1100

    Evergreen

    Rent share 18.3% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.310

    Median rent is $1,166 a month and median income is $76,446, so rent is 18.3% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  11. #11 in Montana · National #1131

    Helena Valley West Central

    Rent share 17.7% · Price level 95.7 · Score 0.312

    Median rent is $1,327 a month and median income is $90,082, so rent is 17.7% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Helena, MT metro price level is 95.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  12. #12 in Montana · National #1195

    Helena Valley Southeast

    Rent share 17.9% · Price level 95.7 · Score 0.316

    Median rent is $1,106 a month and median income is $74,075, so rent is 17.9% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Helena, MT metro price level is 95.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  13. #13 in Montana · National #1340

    Havre

    Rent share 20.1% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.326

    Median rent is $844 a month and median income is $50,329, so rent is 20.1% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  14. #14 in Montana · National #1511

    Helena

    Rent share 18.4% · Price level 95.7 · Score 0.338

    Median rent is $1,092 a month and median income is $71,036, so rent is 18.4% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Helena, MT metro price level is 95.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  15. #15 in Montana · National #1527

    Livingston

    Rent share 19.1% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.339

    Median rent is $1,046 a month and median income is $65,861, so rent is 19.1% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  16. #16 in Montana · National #1569

    Helena Valley Northwest

    Rent share 19.1% · Price level 95.7 · Score 0.341

    Median rent is $1,603 a month and median income is $100,605, so rent is 19.1% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Helena, MT metro price level is 95.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  17. #17 in Montana · National #1913

    Polson

    Rent share 20.5% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.364

    Median rent is $912 a month and median income is $53,418, so rent is 20.5% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  18. #18 in Montana · National #1945

    Orchard Homes

    Rent share 18.5% · Price level 96.4 · Score 0.366

    Median rent is $1,000 a month and median income is $64,904, so rent is 18.5% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Missoula, MT metro price level is 96.4 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  19. #19 in Montana · National #1980

    Kalispell

    Rent share 20.4% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.369

    Median rent is $1,078 a month and median income is $63,415, so rent is 20.4% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  20. #20 in Montana · National #2088

    Four Corners

    Rent share 15.9% · Price level 102.5 · Score 0.377

    Median rent is $1,338 a month and median income is $100,917, so rent is 15.9% of income, under the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Bozeman, MT metro price level is 102.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  21. #21 in Montana · National #2299

    Missoula

    Rent share 20.3% · Price level 96.4 · Score 0.391

    Median rent is $1,189 a month and median income is $70,392, so rent is 20.3% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Missoula, MT metro price level is 96.4 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  22. #22 in Montana · National #2366

    Lewistown

    Rent share 24.8% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.394

    Median rent is $1,007 a month and median income is $48,750, so rent is 24.8% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  23. #23 in Montana · National #2475

    Hamilton

    Rent share 23.1% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.402

    Median rent is $947 a month and median income is $49,204, so rent is 23.1% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  24. #24 in Montana · National #2666

    Whitefish

    Rent share 22.0% · Price level 94.6 · Score 0.415

    Median rent is $1,354 a month and median income is $73,811, so rent is 22.0% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Montana state price level is 94.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  25. #25 in Montana · National #3645

    Belgrade

    Rent share 23.1% · Price level 102.5 · Score 0.488

    Median rent is $1,877 a month and median income is $97,328, so rent is 23.1% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Bozeman, MT metro price level is 102.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

Least affordable 10

  1. #26 in Montana · National #3988

    Bozeman

    Rent share 24.0% · Price level 102.5 · Score 0.518

    Median rent is $1,717 a month and median income is $85,747, so rent is 24.0% of income, over the 18.5% median for ranked towns in Montana. The Bozeman, MT metro price level is 102.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 14.99 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.575 a gallon (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in Montana in this index?

Anaconda-Deer Lodge County is number 1 of 26 ranked towns in Montana. Median rent is 14.5% of median income. Its national rank is 354.

How many towns in Montana were ranked?

26 towns in Montana have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in Montana?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.