City Comparison
Havre vs Polson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Havre scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Havre
Polson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Havre is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Polson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Havre's average rent is
46% lower than Polson's.
| Metric | Havre | Polson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,750 | -46% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,700 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Polson offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Polson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Havre is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Polson.
| Metric | Havre | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 64,356 idx |
| Household Income | $50,329 | $53,418 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Havre comes out ahead with 40 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Polson sees 7.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Havre | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.60°F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 10.00°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 18.10 in | 23.60 in |
| Snowfall | 39.00 in | 46.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 288 | 248 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Havre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Polson.
Polson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Havre leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Havre | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Havre is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Polson.
From a growth perspective, Polson is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Polson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Havre | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,258 | 5,428 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.05% |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 43.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $61.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Havre
Advantages
Typical home values remain highly affordable at around $234,000, well below national averages
Average commute times are exceptionally short at just 10.5 minutes
Direct passenger rail service via Amtrak's Empire Builder connecting to major hubs
Abundant access to outdoor recreation, including Beaver Creek Park and the Bears Paw Mountains
Strong sense of community safety with low rates of violent crime
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation makes long-distance travel and specialized shopping trips more difficult
Harsh winter weather features prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures and heavy snow
Limited high-tech or diversified corporate job sectors outside of healthcare, rail, and education
Median household income sits below the national benchmark at approximately $50,329
Local population growth has experienced slight downward fluctuations in recent years
Polson
Advantages
Stunning natural beauty with proximity to Flathead Lake and outdoor recreational activities.
Growing economy supported by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing.
Affordable cost of living compared to the national average, with housing costs on par.
Strong community spirit and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Montana's favorable tax environment with no state income tax.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation options.
Housing market shows rapid rent acceleration and high median listing prices.
Weather can be unpredictable.
Poverty rate of 17.5% in 2024.
Job growth has seen a slight decline in recent years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Havre
#209Montana, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
288/yr
Avg Temp
45.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
Polson
#302Montana, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
27.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.05%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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