Cost of Living in Cut Bank, MT

Population 3,040 · Montana · Data vintage 2023

60
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cut Bank is a smaller Montana community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $55,848 and housing costs ($161,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.1% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 235 miles east of Spokane Valley, Cut Bank is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 53% lower than Spokane Valley's $344,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 53
Rent 70

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Cut Bank

The median home value in Cut Bank is $161,400 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $921/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,848/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Montana's top state income tax rate is 6.8% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. The climate averages highs of 54.2°F and lows of 29.4°F. Overall, Cut Bank has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$161,400
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$279,015
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$921/mo
30% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$930
1 BR
$1,018
2 BR
$1,266
3 BR
$1,671
4 BR
$1,925
Owner-occupied 72.8%
Renter-occupied 27.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$921
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,535/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
14.3 min
47% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.2%
Carpooled
12.6%
Walked
5.2%
Work from home
6.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.8%
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$55,848
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,139
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
55% below avg
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Labor Force Participation
50.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.4%
Graduate degree 11.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.2
Male median age 36.9
Female median age 42.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
54.2°F
Avg Low
29.4°F
Annual Precip
10.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323443526270808069544133
Low °F 111220283745504840302013
Precip" 0.220.230.360.951.652.731.290.961.080.570.420.31

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 12 — Good
89%
Good air days/yr
166
Max AQI recorded
354
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
775
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cut Bank, MT?

Cut Bank has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cut Bank, MT?

The median gross rent in Cut Bank is $921 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cut Bank?

The median home value in Cut Bank is $161,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cut Bank?

The median household income in Cut Bank is $55,848 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cut Bank, MT?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cut Bank is 0.0%. The Montana state income tax top rate is 6.8%.

Is Cut Bank, MT affordable?

Yes, Cut Bank is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Cut Bank?

Cut Bank has average high temperatures of 54.2°F and average lows of 29.4°F. Annual precipitation is 10.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cut Bank at a Glance

Population
3,040
Median Income
$55,848
Home Value
$161,400
Median Rent
$921/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Avg High Temp
54.2°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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