Deer Lodge, MT vs Helena West Side, MT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Deer Lodge is 19.3% cheaper than Helena West Side. With a cost index of 72 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Deer Lodge to Helena West Side should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Deer Lodge is $781/month compared to $781/month in Helena West Side — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Helena West Side has cheaper rent, Deer Lodge actually has lower median home values ($196,400 vs $411,800).

Median household income in Deer Lodge is $53,676 compared to $67,692 in Helena West Side (-20.7%). While Helena West Side is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Deer Lodge spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in Helena West Side.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43°F vs 45.5°F). Deer Lodge receives more rainfall at 12.1" per year compared to 11.4" in Helena West Side.