City Comparison
Lewistown vs Butte
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewistown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewistown
Butte
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewistown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Butte.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewistown's average rent is
21% lower than Butte's.
| Metric | Lewistown | Butte | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $950 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,635 | $1,850 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Butte offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Butte delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewistown is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Butte.
| Metric | Lewistown | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,500 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,297 idx | 58,696 idx |
| Household Income | $48,750 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lewistown sees 9.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewistown | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.00°F | 42.70°F |
| Summer High | 75.50°F | 75.00°F |
| Winter Low | 13.20°F | 12.70°F |
| Rainfall | 23.00 in | 15.60 in |
| Snowfall | 66.40 in | 56.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | 270 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lewistown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Butte.
Butte scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lewistown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lewistown | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butte is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lewistown.
From a growth perspective, Lewistown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Butte has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewistown | Butte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,231 | 34,493 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.7 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.6B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lewistown
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the national average and western Montana hubs, offering strong housing affordability.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates well below national medians.
Extremely short average commute times of roughly 13 minutes eliminate daily traffic stress.
Immediate proximity to pristine central Montana wilderness, mountains, and world-class outdoor recreation.
Access to renowned natural resources, including Big Springs and some of the purest drinking water in the world.
Drawbacks
Lower median household incomes compared to state and national averages.
Geographic isolation requires traveling significant distances to access major metropolitan airports or specialized retail.
Limited local public transit infrastructure creates absolute car dependency for residents.
Rigid winter climate with heavy seasonal snowfall demands preparedness and cold-weather adaptation.
Tight rental housing inventory can make finding immediate leasing options challenging for newcomers.
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.
Lewistown
#158Montana, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$48,500
Cost Index
91
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
45.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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