Arlee is a small town of 693 in Montana, with a median household income of $37,109
and a 9.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Arlee stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Arlee is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Arlee city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.0
Arlee's overall cost of living index is 90.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Arlee costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Arlee, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$193,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$654
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
56.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$37,109
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Arlee's violent crime rate is 581.1 per 100,000 residents
— 53% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
581.1 /100k
Property Crime
1690.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Arlee is served primarily by Arlee Elem.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Arlee, MT
National Avg
School District
Arlee Elem
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
86.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Arlee sees average highs of 36.8°F in January
and 86.0°F in July,
with 21.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 42.9 inches of snow per year.
Arlee's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Arlee roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $193,200 and median rent is $654/month.
Arlee's violent crime rate is 581.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1690.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Arlee are operated by Arlee Elem.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1. 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Arlee, MT has a population of 693, a median household income of $37,109, and an unemployment rate of 9.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Arlee averages 36.8°F in January and 86.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 21.1 inches
with about 42.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Arlee, Montana is 693 with a median age of 36.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Arlee: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $193,200, median household income $37,109, crime index 124 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Arlee side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
