City Comparison
Kalispell vs Polson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kalispell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kalispell
Polson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kalispell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Polson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kalispell's average rent is
17% lower than Polson's.
| Metric | Kalispell | Polson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,750 | -17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,700 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Polson offers 11% 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 Kalispell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Polson.
| Metric | Kalispell | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,769 idx | 64,356 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $53,418 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kalispell sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kalispell | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.50°F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | 76.50°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 16.50°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | 23.60 in |
| Snowfall | 50.80 in | 46.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 248 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Polson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kalispell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kalispell | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kalispell is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Polson.
From a growth perspective, Kalispell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Kalispell | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,500 | 5,428 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 2.05% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 43.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $61.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
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.
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
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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