City Comparison
Belgrade vs Butte
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belgrade scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belgrade
Butte
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Belgrade.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belgrade's average rent is
111% higher than Butte's.
| Metric | Belgrade | Butte | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $950 | +111% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $1,850 | +62% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Belgrade offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belgrade delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belgrade is estimated at
$60,000 vs $48,000 in Butte.
| Metric | Belgrade | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 58,696 idx |
| Household Income | $97,328 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Belgrade sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belgrade | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.30°F | 42.70°F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | 75.00°F |
| Winter Low | 15.50°F | 12.70°F |
| Rainfall | 22.60 in | 15.60 in |
| Snowfall | 62.20 in | 56.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 270 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Butte has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Belgrade.
For walkability, Belgrade leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belgrade | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butte is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Belgrade.
From a growth perspective, Belgrade is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Belgrade has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belgrade | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,107 | 34,493 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belgrade
Advantages
Median household income has risen to $97,328 per year per US Census Bureau data
Strategic location adjacent to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport supports strong local employment
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation including skiing, hiking, and blue-ribbon trout streams
No state sales tax in Montana, reducing the tax burden on everyday retail consumer purchases
Favorable safety profile with crime rates significantly lower than the national urban average
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,000 creates affordability challenges for median-income workers
Median property values exceeding $530,000 price many first-time homebuyers out of the market
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure across the Gallatin Valley
Harsh winter conditions with significant snowfall averaging over 62 inches annually
Rapid population growth has put strain on local infrastructure and traffic capacity
Butte
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per recent housing data.
Exceptional access to world-class outdoor recreation, including skiing, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by annual events like the Montana Folk Festival.
Strong local economy anchored by education, healthcare, and mining services.
Tight-knit, welcoming community with a distinct historical character.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can challenge daily commutes.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency.
Local wages often lag behind fast-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
Historic housing stock may require significant maintenance and renovation investments.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Belgrade
#48Montana, USA
70.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
45.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
76
Business
72
Butte
#348Montana, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
42.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
66
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