Cost of Living in Deer Lodge, MT
Population 3,035 · Montana · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Deer Lodge is a smaller Montana community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $53,676 and housing costs ($196,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Geographically, Deer Lodge lies roughly 205 miles west of the nearest major metro, Billings. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Billings' $312,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Deer Lodge
The median home value in Deer Lodge is $196,400 — 36% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $781/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,676/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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%. Overall, Deer Lodge has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.
Deer Lodge has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Deer Lodge, MT?
Deer Lodge has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.
What is average rent in Deer Lodge, MT?
The median gross rent in Deer Lodge is $781 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Deer Lodge?
The median home value in Deer Lodge is $196,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Deer Lodge?
The median household income in Deer Lodge is $53,676 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Deer Lodge, MT?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Deer Lodge is 0.0%. The Montana state income tax top rate is 6.8%.
Is Deer Lodge, MT affordable?
Yes, Deer Lodge is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.
Deer Lodge at a Glance
- Population
- 3,035
- Median Income
- $53,676
- Home Value
- $196,400
- Median Rent
- $781/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.3%
- Sales Tax
- 0.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Montana Rankings
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