Cost of Living in Livingston, MT

Population 8,635 · Montana · Data vintage 2023

99
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Livingston a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $349,000.

Geographically, Livingston lies roughly 95 miles west of the nearest major metro, Billings. Median home values run roughly 12% higher than Billings' $312,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 114
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Livingston

The median home value in Livingston is $348,700 — 14% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $987/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,187/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, 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 58.4°F and lows of 32.6°F. Overall, Livingston has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$348,700
14% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$509,476
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$987/mo
25% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,783/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.4x
Favors renting
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 62.5%
Renter-occupied 37.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$987
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,601/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
24.1 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.2%
Carpooled
12.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
1.9%
Work from home
12.8%

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
$65,187
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$40,760
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
30% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor Force Participation
70.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.4%
Graduate degree 9.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.1
Male median age 42.3
Female median age 44.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.4°F
Avg Low
32.6°F
Annual Precip
14.6"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 373948546474868574584536
Low °F 191924303845504841332519
Precip" 0.440.470.791.712.662.421.311.071.201.360.620.50

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
1,450
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Livingston, MT?

Livingston has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.

What is average rent in Livingston, MT?

The median gross rent in Livingston is $987 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Livingston?

The median home value in Livingston is $348,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Livingston?

The median household income in Livingston is $65,187 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Livingston, MT?

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

Is Livingston, MT affordable?

Livingston is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Livingston?

Livingston has average high temperatures of 58.4°F and average lows of 32.6°F. Annual precipitation is 14.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Livingston at a Glance

Population
8,635
Median Income
$65,187
Home Value
$348,700
Median Rent
$987/mo
Unemployment
3.4%
Avg High Temp
58.4°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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