Polson, MT vs Red Lodge, MT

Polson, MT and Red Lodge, MT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Polson scores 87 while Red Lodge 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 Polson is $921/month compared to $805/month in Red Lodge — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Red Lodge has cheaper rent, Polson actually has lower median home values ($321,000 vs $374,900).

Median household income in Polson is $51,463 compared to $43,857 in Red Lodge (+17.3%). While Polson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Polson spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Red Lodge.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 48.2°F). Polson receives more rainfall at 16.4" per year compared to 14.3" in Red Lodge.