Below Average CostSafer than AverageFort Benton Elem
Choteau County Courthouse · J.B. Chandler / CC BY-SA 3.0FORT BENTON HISTORIC DISTRICT, CHOUTEAU COUNTY, MONTANA · JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / CC BY-SA 3.0Fort Benton on River · Montanabw / CC BY-SA 3.0GRAND UNION HOTEL, FT. BENTON, CHOUTEAU COUNTY, MONTANA · JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / CC BY-SA 3.0
Fort Benton is a small town of 1,544 in Montana, with a median household income of $67,656
and a 6.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Fort Benton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fort Benton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Fort Benton 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: 90.2
Fort Benton's overall cost of living index is 90.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Fort Benton costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Fort Benton, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$183,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$690
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
78.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$67,656
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Fort Benton's violent crime rate is 463.6 per 100,000 residents
— 22% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
463.6 /100k
Property Crime
331.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Fort Benton is served primarily by Fort Benton Elem.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Fort Benton, MT
National Avg
School District
Fort Benton Elem
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
31.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Fort Benton sees average highs of 34.6°F in January
and 86.4°F in July,
with 13.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 38.2 inches of snow per year.
Fort Benton's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Fort Benton roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $183,100 and median rent is $690/month.
Fort Benton's violent crime rate is 463.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 331.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Fort Benton are operated by Fort Benton Elem.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 31.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Fort Benton, MT has a population of 1,544, a median household income of $67,656, and an unemployment rate of 6.4%.
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.
Fort Benton averages 34.6°F in January and 86.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 13.2 inches
with about 38.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Fort Benton, MT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 59442.
The population of Fort Benton, Montana is 1,544 with a median age of 36.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Fort Benton: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $183,100, median household income $67,656, crime index 80 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fort Benton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
