Alberton, MT vs Helena West Side, MT

Alberton, MT and Helena West Side, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Alberton scores 88 while Helena West Side scores 90 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alberton is $1,161/month compared to $781/month in Helena West Side — a 49% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Helena West Side has cheaper rent, Alberton actually has lower median home values ($247,000 vs $411,800).

Median household income in Alberton is $71,250 compared to $67,692 in Helena West Side (+5.3%). Alberton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alberton spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in Helena West Side.