Helena Valley Northwest, MT vs West Glendive, MT

The cost of living difference between Helena Valley Northwest, MT and West Glendive, MT is dramatic. West Glendive is 56% cheaper than Helena Valley Northwest, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Helena Valley Northwest has a cost index of 111 while West Glendive sits at 71, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Helena Valley Northwest is $1,640/month compared to $794/month in West Glendive — a 107% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Glendive is more affordable at $179,700 median vs $358,600.

Median household income in Helena Valley Northwest is $101,278 compared to $57,743 in West Glendive (+75.4%). While Helena Valley Northwest is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Helena Valley Northwest spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in West Glendive.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.5°F vs 43.5°F). West Glendive receives more rainfall at 14.6" per year compared to 11.4" in Helena Valley Northwest.