Cost of Living in Butte, MT - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,821 per month with rent, or $882 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $2,852 per month with rent, or $1,571 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $3,883 per month with rent, or $2,261 without housing.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.90 $14.90
$7.95 $7.95
$24.83 $24.83
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.4 $59.4
$55.5 $55.5
$84.2 $84.2
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.25 $9.25
$8.76 $8.76
$14.60 $14.60
Cappuccino
$4.20 $4.20
$2.93 $2.93
$5.86 $5.86
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 $2.13
$1.26 $1.26
$5.03 $5.03
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 $2.33
$1.47 $1.47
$3.92 $3.92
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.05 $3.05
$3.05 $3.05
$8.13 $8.13
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.87 $4.87
$4.87 $4.87
$6.81 $6.81
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 $1.21
$0.82 $0.82
$1.58 $1.58
White Bread (500g)
$2.40 $2.40
$1.78 $1.78
$4.85 $4.85
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$4.34 $4.34
$5.42 $5.42
Eggs
$3.77 $3.77
$2.64 $2.64
$5.81 $5.81
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.46 $6.46
$6.46 $6.46
$40.91 $40.91
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.40 $7.40
$6.72 $6.72
$17.98 $17.98
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.20 $19.20
$15.16 $15.16
$21.67 $21.67
Apples (1kg)
$4.84 $4.84
$4.08 $4.08
$6.45 $6.45
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 $1.57
$1.18 $1.18
$1.75 $1.75
Oranges (1kg)
$1.74 $1.74
$1.74 $1.74
$10.45 $10.45
Tomato (1kg)
$2.23 $2.23
$2.23 $2.23
$5.08 $5.08
Potato (1kg)
$0.53 $0.53
$0.53 $0.53
$3.16 $3.16
Onion (1kg)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.05 $1.05
$4.38 $4.38
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.83 $1.83
$1.32 $1.32
$2.78 $2.78
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.51 $1.51
$4.03 $4.03
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.98 $7.98
$5.95 $5.95
$11.80 $11.80
Wine (Bottle)
$9.59 $9.59
$6.06 $6.06
$30.28 $30.28
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.71 $1.71
$2.48 $2.48
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$1.55 $1.55
$6.96 $6.96
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.86 $4.86
$4.86 $4.86
$4.86 $4.86
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 $0.60
$0.60 $0.60
$0.60 $0.60
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.03 $10.03
$10.03 $10.03
$10.03 $10.03
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.81 $0.81
$1.18 $1.18
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K $34.3K
$32.1K $32.1K
$34.3K $34.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$23.9K $23.9K
$26.7K $26.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$141 $141
$102 $102
$280 $280
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.95 $24.95
$24.95 $24.95
$105 $105
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$61.1 $61.1
$86.6 $86.6
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$10.53 $10.53
$10.53 $10.53
$15.05 $15.05
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,987 $1,987
$978 $978
$2,995 $2,995
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.2K $14.2K
$10.1K $10.1K
$18.3K $18.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.7 $69.7
$39.64 $39.64
$79.3 $79.3
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.34 $44.34
$30.40 $30.40
$60.8 $60.8
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 $101
$51.6 $51.6
$127 $127
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$144 $144
$83.6 $83.6
$197 $197
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,029 $1,029
$910 $910
$1,214 $1,214
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$887 $887
$804 $804
$1,004 $1,004
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,820 $1,820
$1,618 $1,618
$2,022 $2,022
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,627 $1,627
$1,494 $1,494
$1,793 $1,793
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,291 $2,291
$2,234 $2,234
$2,383 $2,383
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,255 $2,255
$2,156 $2,156
$2,367 $2,367
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,791 $3,791
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.08
6
8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,029, dropping to $887 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 27% of the average salary ($3,791) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $3,791 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,821. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $2,731.

Groceries cost around $301 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $59.0.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 92% of cities in North America

Butte, MT Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Butte, MT - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Butte compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Butte tends to be more affordable than many larger cities, especially for housing and everyday expenses. You’ll notice value for long-term stays and the chance to stretch a budget on meals, groceries, and local services compared with coastal tech hubs. The small-city vibe comes with big outdoor access and a connected community, which adds lifestyle value beyond price. If you’re after a slower pace, walkable neighborhoods, and local character, Butte often delivers good value without sacrificing essentials. The Cost of Living in Butte, MT, United States is a useful point of comparison when you plan logistics for a stay. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and seasonal costs, then refine your budget.
What does daily life look like in Butte for housing search, food options, transport, co-working, and errands?
Daily life in Butte blends history with practical routines. You’ll find a mix of rental houses, duplexes, and small apartments in walkable patches of Uptown or the North and South sides. For housing, start with local listings and seasonal turnover; demand can peak in winter for seasonal workers. Food options range from casual diners to markets with local produce; you’ll often find hearty, comfort-food staples. Transit is practical rather than flashy, with bus routes and decent walkability; many use bikes for short hops. Co-working spaces pulse with a small-but-creative scene, and errands are manageable thanks to compact neighborhoods. Use Butte, MT, United States living cost as a loose guide when weighing rents against meals and transit. Tip: prioritize neighborhoods by access to amenities and seasonal outdoor activities.
What about quality of life, budgeting frameworks, ways to save, seasonality, neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Butte balances historic character with easy access to the outdoors and a supportive community. A practical budgeting framework helps you allocate costs across housing, utilities, groceries, and transport, then rate experiences like local events and healthcare access. Practical savings come from cooking at home, leveraging local markets, and choosing longer stays for better terms. Seasonality shapes activities, with winter’s indoors and summer’s outdoor offerings guiding your routine. Neighborhood fit matters: Uptown offers dense services and cafes, the North Side feels residential and spacious, while the South Side tends to be quieter with easier parking. Tip: tune your routine to local calendars and seasonal markets to maximize value.
What is the average cost of living in Butte, MT?
A single person in Butte, MT typically spends $1,821 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $882. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is the average cost of living in Butte, MT in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Butte, MT should plan on about $1,821 per month with rent, or $882 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
What is the average salary in Butte, MT?
After taxes, the average worker in Butte, MT takes home about $3,791 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is rent high in Butte, MT?
Rent in Butte, MT is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $887 and $1,029 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
Is food expensive in Butte, MT?
Grocery spending in Butte, MT lands around $301 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much does childcare cost in Butte, MT?
Private kindergarten in Butte, MT costs about $1,987 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Butte, MT?
$2,000 is below the $1,821 average in Butte, MT, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Butte, MT good for digital nomads?
Digital nomads flock to Butte, MT for good reason: fast internet, clean air, café culture. Monthly costs land around $1,821 depending on your setup – strong value for the connectivity and quality of life you get. Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafés round out the appeal.
How affordable is Butte, MT?
Butte, MT is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,821, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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