Elliston is a small town of 223 in Montana, with a median household income of $42,000
and a 6.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elliston stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (A), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elliston is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elliston 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: 93.3
Elliston's overall cost of living index is 93.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elliston costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elliston, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$262,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$813
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,000
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Elliston's violent crime rate is 508.0 per 100,000 residents
— 34% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
508.0 /100k
Property Crime
522.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elliston is served primarily by Elliston Elem.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 6.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Elliston, MT
National Avg
School District
Elliston Elem
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
30.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elliston sees average highs of 32.6°F in January
and 80.9°F in July,
with 19.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 37.2 inches of snow per year.
Elliston's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elliston roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $262,500 and median rent is $813/month.
Elliston's violent crime rate is 508.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 522.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elliston are operated by Elliston Elem.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 6.3:1. 30.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elliston, MT has a population of 223, a median household income of $42,000, and an unemployment rate of 6.1%.
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.
Elliston averages 32.6°F in January and 80.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 19.1 inches
with about 37.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elliston, MT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 59728.
The population of Elliston, Montana is 223 with a median age of 39.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elliston: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $262,500, median household income $42,000, crime index 90 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elliston side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.