City Comparison
Belgrade vs Polson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belgrade scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belgrade
Polson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Polson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Belgrade.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belgrade's average rent is
14% higher than Polson's.
| Metric | Belgrade | Polson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,750 | +14% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $2,700 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Belgrade offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belgrade delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belgrade is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Polson.
| Metric | Belgrade | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 64,356 idx |
| Household Income | $97,328 | $53,418 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Belgrade comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belgrade sees 15.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belgrade | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.30°F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 15.50°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 22.60 in | 23.60 in |
| Snowfall | 62.20 in | 46.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 248 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Polson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Belgrade.
Polson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Belgrade leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belgrade | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Belgrade is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Polson.
From a growth perspective, Belgrade is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Belgrade has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belgrade | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,107 | 5,428 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 2.05% |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 43.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $61.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belgrade
Advantages
Median household income has risen to $97,328 per year per US Census Bureau data
Strategic location adjacent to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport supports strong local employment
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation including skiing, hiking, and blue-ribbon trout streams
No state sales tax in Montana, reducing the tax burden on everyday retail consumer purchases
Favorable safety profile with crime rates significantly lower than the national urban average
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,000 creates affordability challenges for median-income workers
Median property values exceeding $530,000 price many first-time homebuyers out of the market
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure across the Gallatin Valley
Harsh winter conditions with significant snowfall averaging over 62 inches annually
Rapid population growth has put strain on local infrastructure and traffic capacity
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.
Belgrade
#48Montana, USA
70.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
45.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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