Hamilton, MT vs Helena Valley Southeast, MT

Hamilton is moderately more affordable than Helena Valley Southeast, with a 9% lower cost of living index. Hamilton scores 86 compared to 95 for Helena Valley Southeast, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Helena Valley Southeast can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hamilton is $958/month compared to $1,231/month in Helena Valley Southeast — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hamilton is more affordable at $299,800 median vs $308,000.

Median household income in Hamilton is $52,917 compared to $63,824 in Helena Valley Southeast (-17.1%). While Helena Valley Southeast is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hamilton spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Helena Valley Southeast.

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