City Comparison
Butte vs Polson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Polson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Polson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Polson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Butte's average rent is
46% lower than Polson's.
| Metric | Butte | Polson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,750 | -46% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,700 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Polson offers 17% 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 Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Polson.
| Metric | Butte | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 64,356 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $53,418 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Polson runs warmer on average — a 5.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butte sees 10.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | 23.60 in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | 46.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 248 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Butte has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Polson.
Polson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Butte leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Butte | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butte is the larger city
— approximately 6.4x 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 | Butte | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 5,428 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.05% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 43.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $61.9B |
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.
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.
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
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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