City Comparison
Butte vs Whitefish
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Whitefish
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Whitefish.
Housing costs are a major driver: Butte's average rent is
46% lower than Whitefish's.
| Metric | Butte | Whitefish | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,750 | -46% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,670 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Whitefish offers 13% 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 Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $65,000 in Whitefish.
| Metric | Butte | Whitefish |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 50,820 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $73,811 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Whitefish sees 6.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Whitefish |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | 44.90°F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | 75.60°F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | 26.70 in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | 63.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 249 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Whitefish scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Whitefish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Butte | Whitefish |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butte is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Whitefish.
From a growth perspective, Whitefish 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 | Butte | Whitefish |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 9,358 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 44.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Whitefish
Advantages
Median household income stands at a healthy $73,811 per year, reflecting local economic stability.
Exceptional proximity to Glacier National Park and world-class skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Low violent crime rates and a strong community safety profile.
High civic engagement and a vibrant, walkable downtown core filled with local dining and arts.
Clean air, pristine natural water bodies, and outstanding year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
High median property values exceeding $680,000 place intense pressure on local housing affordability.
Cost of living significantly outpaces the broader Montana state average.
Seasonal tourism surges create heavy traffic congestion and parking strains downtown.
Local wages often lag behind high housing costs, creating financial strain for service-sector workers.
Limited rental inventory due to the prevalence of short-term vacation properties.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Whitefish
#455Montana, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
44.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
82
Business
70
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