East Helena, MT vs Polson, MT

East Helena, MT and Polson, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. East Helena scores 84 while Polson scores 87 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 $921/month in Polson — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Polson has cheaper rent, East Helena actually has lower median home values ($254,400 vs $321,000).

Median household income in East Helena is $53,611 compared to $51,463 in Polson (+4.2%). 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 21.5% in Polson.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.5°F vs 47.7°F). Polson receives more rainfall at 16.4" per year compared to 11.4" in East Helena.