East Missoula, MT vs Polson, MT

East Missoula, MT and Polson, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. East Missoula scores 91 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 Missoula is $1,039/month compared to $921/month in Polson — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Polson is more affordable at $321,000 median vs $323,900.

Median household income in East Missoula is $65,541 compared to $51,463 in Polson (+27.4%). While East Missoula is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Missoula spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 21.5% in Polson.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.2°F vs 47.7°F). Polson receives more rainfall at 16.4" per year compared to 14.1" in East Missoula.