Columbia Falls, MT vs Helena Valley Southeast, MT

Columbia Falls, MT and Helena Valley Southeast, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Columbia Falls scores 91 while Helena Valley Southeast scores 95 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 Columbia Falls is $1,003/month compared to $1,231/month in Helena Valley Southeast — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Columbia Falls has cheaper rent, Helena Valley Southeast actually has lower median home values ($308,000 vs $346,700).

Median household income in Columbia Falls is $65,313 compared to $63,824 in Helena Valley Southeast (+2.3%). Columbia Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia Falls spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Helena Valley Southeast.