Helena West Side, MT vs Hot Springs, MT

The cost of living difference between Helena West Side, MT and Hot Springs, MT is dramatic. Hot Springs is 38.6% cheaper than Helena West Side, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Helena West Side has a cost index of 90 while Hot Springs sits at 65, 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 West Side is $781/month compared to $683/month in Hot Springs — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hot Springs is more affordable at $139,100 median vs $411,800.

Median household income in Helena West Side is $67,692 compared to $21,319 in Hot Springs (+217.5%). While Helena West Side 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 West Side spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, less than the 38.4% in Hot Springs. The Helena West Side ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

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