Cost of Living in Miles City, MT

Population 8,412 · Montana · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Miles City is a smaller Montana community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,732 and housing costs ($183,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Miles City lies roughly 135 miles east of the nearest major metro, Billings — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than Billings' $312,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 71

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

About the Cost of Living in Miles City

The median home value in Miles City is $182,700 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $932/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,732/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, 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 58.7°F and lows of 33.6°F. Overall, Miles City has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,700
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$233,769
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$932/mo
29% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3x
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 62.2%
Renter-occupied 37.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$932
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,546/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
12.6 min
53% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.9%
Carpooled
17.0%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
5.3%
Work from home
4.5%

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
$60,732
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,967
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
33% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Labor Force Participation
66.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.5%
Graduate degree 8.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.1
Male median age 42.5
Female median age 45

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
33.6°F
Annual Precip
12.9"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303547586879898776594433
Low °F 91323334353605847342112
Precip" 0.280.260.551.542.732.511.510.911.070.970.330.22

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
79.1%
Good air days/yr
260
Max AQI recorded
130
PM2.5 days
228
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
1,530
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Miles City, MT?

Miles City has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in Miles City, MT?

The median gross rent in Miles City is $932 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Miles City?

The median home value in Miles City is $182,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Miles City?

The median household income in Miles City is $60,732 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Miles City, MT?

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

Is Miles City, MT affordable?

Yes, Miles City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Miles City?

Miles City has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 33.6°F. Annual precipitation is 12.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Miles City at a Glance

Population
8,412
Median Income
$60,732
Home Value
$182,700
Median Rent
$932/mo
Unemployment
3.2%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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