Lewistown is a small town of 5,988 in Montana, with a median household income of $40,705
and a 5.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lewistown stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Lewistown is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lewistown 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: 90.6
Lewistown's overall cost of living index is 90.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lewistown costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lewistown, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$152,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$818
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$40,705
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Lewistown's violent crime rate is 644.1 per 100,000 residents
— 70% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
644.1 /100k
Property Crime
1207.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lewistown is served primarily by Lewistown Elem.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lewistown, MT
National Avg
School District
Lewistown Elem
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
23.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lewistown sees average highs of 34.4°F in January
and 81.6°F in July,
with 17.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 112.1 inches of snow per year.
Lewistown's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lewistown roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $152,000 and median rent is $818/month.
Lewistown's violent crime rate is 644.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1207.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lewistown are operated by Lewistown Elem.
The district has 2 elementary, 2 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 23.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lewistown, MT has a population of 5,988, a median household income of $40,705, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
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.
Lewistown averages 34.4°F in January and 81.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 17.2 inches
with about 112.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Lewistown, MT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 59457.
The population of Lewistown, Montana is 5,988 with a median age of 48.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lewistown: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $152,000, median household income $40,705, crime index 125 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lewistown side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
