Cost of Living in Sidney, MT

Population 6,235 · Montana · Data vintage 2023

76
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 Sidney a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $249,000.

Geographically, Sidney lies roughly 245 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Billings. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Billings' $312,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 82
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in Sidney

The median home value in Sidney is $249,100 — 18% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $890/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,992/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, 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 54.2°F and lows of 29.2°F, with about 48.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sidney has a cost of living index of 76 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$249,100
18% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$169,002
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$890/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3x
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 61.8%
Renter-occupied 38.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$890
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,504/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
21.5 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.2%
Carpooled
5.9%
Walked
6.7%
Work from home
1.2%

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
$62,992
16% below avg
Per Capita Income
$41,282
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
14% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Labor Force Participation
72.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.8%
Graduate degree 4.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 39.2
Female median age 38.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
54.2°F
Avg Low
29.2°F
Annual Precip
15.1"
Annual Snowfall
48.2"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 222740566777858473563826
Low °F 161829405056544430176
Precip" 0.560.480.631.052.102.642.481.571.360.940.670.63
Snow" 11.26.76.43.70.90.00.00.00.02.66.310.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
73.4%
Good air days/yr
219
Max AQI recorded
106
PM2.5 days
258
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
1,404
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sidney, MT?

Sidney has a cost index of 76 (100 = national average). It is 24% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sidney, MT?

The median gross rent in Sidney is $890 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sidney?

The median home value in Sidney is $249,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sidney?

The median household income in Sidney is $62,992 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sidney, MT?

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

Is Sidney, MT affordable?

Yes, Sidney is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 76 — about 24% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sidney?

Sidney has average high temperatures of 54.2°F and average lows of 29.2°F. Annual precipitation is 15.1". Average annual snowfall is 48.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sidney at a Glance

Population
6,235
Median Income
$62,992
Home Value
$249,100
Median Rent
$890/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
54.2°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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