City Comparison
Butte vs Kalispell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kalispell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Kalispell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Kalispell.
Housing costs are a major driver: Butte's average rent is
34% lower than Kalispell's.
| Metric | Butte | Kalispell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,415 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kalispell offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Butte delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Kalispell.
| Metric | Butte | Kalispell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 55,769 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butte sees 6.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Kalispell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | 45.50°F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | 76.50°F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | 50.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 249 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Kalispell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Butte | Kalispell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butte is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Kalispell.
From a growth perspective, Kalispell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kalispell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Butte | Kalispell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 26,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butte
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per recent housing data.
Exceptional access to world-class outdoor recreation, including skiing, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by annual events like the Montana Folk Festival.
Strong local economy anchored by education, healthcare, and mining services.
Tight-knit, welcoming community with a distinct historical character.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can challenge daily commutes.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency.
Local wages often lag behind fast-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
Historic housing stock may require significant maintenance and renovation investments.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
Kalispell
Advantages
Unmatched proximity to Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake providing world-class outdoor recreation
Robust regional healthcare sector anchored by Logan Health offering advanced medical services
Thriving historic downtown area featuring local boutiques, craft breweries, and community events
Strong sense of community and a family-friendly environment with scenic mountain views
Growing local economy supported by tourism, manufacturing, and professional services
Drawbacks
Substantial housing price appreciation and rental cost increases driven by high migration rates
High reliance on automobiles with limited public transit options across the wider valley
Cold, snowy winter conditions that require preparation and adaptation for residents
Seasonal traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak summer tourism months
Limited inventory in the local real estate market making housing acquisition competitive
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Butte
#348Montana, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
42.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
66
Kalispell
#241Montana, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
45.50°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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