East Helena, MT vs Hamilton, MT

East Helena, MT and Hamilton, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. East Helena scores 84 while Hamilton scores 86 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 East Helena is $1,020/month compared to $958/month in Hamilton — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hamilton has cheaper rent, East Helena actually has lower median home values ($254,400 vs $299,800).

Median household income in East Helena is $53,611 compared to $52,917 in Hamilton (+1.3%). East Helena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Helena spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in Hamilton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.5°F vs 45.2°F). Hamilton receives more rainfall at 14.1" per year compared to 11.4" in East Helena.