Libby, Montana - date unknown (14604413572) · USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency / Public domainLibby, Montana · USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency / Public domainLibby station - May 2017 · Mitchazenia / CC BY-SA 4.0
Libby is a small town of 2,857 in Montana, with a median household income of $36,373
and a 2.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Libby stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Libby is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Libby 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: 89.5
Libby's overall cost of living index is 89.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Libby costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Libby, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$191,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$614
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
59.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$36,373
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Libby's violent crime rate is 151.2 per 100,000 residents
— 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
151.2 /100k
Property Crime
756.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Libby is served primarily by Libby K-12 Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.3:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Libby, MT
National Avg
School District
Libby K-12 Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Libby sees average highs of 32.2°F in January
and 86.5°F in July,
with 19.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 48.2 inches of snow per year.
Libby's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Libby roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $191,900 and median rent is $614/month.
Libby's violent crime rate is 151.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 756.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Libby are operated by Libby K-12 Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.3:1. 16.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Libby, MT has a population of 2,857, a median household income of $36,373, and an unemployment rate of 2.1%.
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.
Libby averages 32.2°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 19.1 inches
with about 48.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Libby, Montana is 2,857 with a median age of 49.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Libby: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $191,900, median household income $36,373, crime index 38 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Libby side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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