City Comparison
Whitefish vs Polson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Polson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Whitefish
Polson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Whitefish is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Polson.
| Metric | Whitefish | Polson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,750 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,670 | $2,700 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Polson offers 5% 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 Whitefish is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Polson.
| Metric | Whitefish | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,820 idx | 64,356 idx |
| Household Income | $73,811 | $53,418 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Whitefish sees 17 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Whitefish | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.90°F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 26.70 in | 23.60 in |
| Snowfall | 63.60 in | 46.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 248 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Whitefish 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, Whitefish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Whitefish | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Whitefish 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 | Whitefish | Polson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,358 | 5,428 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.05% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 43.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $61.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Whitefish
Advantages
Median household income stands at a healthy $73,811 per year, reflecting local economic stability.
Exceptional proximity to Glacier National Park and world-class skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Low violent crime rates and a strong community safety profile.
High civic engagement and a vibrant, walkable downtown core filled with local dining and arts.
Clean air, pristine natural water bodies, and outstanding year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
High median property values exceeding $680,000 place intense pressure on local housing affordability.
Cost of living significantly outpaces the broader Montana state average.
Seasonal tourism surges create heavy traffic congestion and parking strains downtown.
Local wages often lag behind high housing costs, creating financial strain for service-sector workers.
Limited rental inventory due to the prevalence of short-term vacation properties.
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.
Whitefish
#455Montana, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
44.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
82
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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