A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Polson Montana National
Cost of living95101100
Goods & Services90104100
Groceries100103100
Health care9398100
Housing9799100
Transportation103109100
Utilities9393100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Polson is 6% lower than the Montana average
  • The cost of living in Polson is 5% lower than the national average
  • Polson housing is 3% lower than the national average
  • Montana general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Montana state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Polson

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Compare Polson, MT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

          This is how much you would need to earn in
          Price difference in compared to
          Cost of living index
          Goods & Services index
          Groceries index
          Health care index
          Housing index
          Transportation index
          Utilities index

          Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

          Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
          Owners$47,788$3,982$1,115$1,434
          Renters$36,654$3,055$855$1,100
          A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Polson, MT, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Polson, the median monthly income is $47,788 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,115 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $36,654, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $855 on monthly rental expenses.

          Montana Sales Tax

          State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
          Montana 0% 0%

          Montana Income Tax

          State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
          Montana 1% 6.75%

          Goods & Services

          Item Polson National avg. Difference
          Haircut $15.71$24.2635.2%
          Beauty Salon $37.87$45.5616.9%
          Toothpaste $4.19$3.7013.3%
          Shampoo $1.16$1.289.2%
          Movie $12.99$12.137.1%
          Bowling $16.78$18.006.8%

          Groceries

          Item Polson National avg. Difference
          Ground Beef $6.31$5.848.0%
          Fried Chicken $1.59$1.571.2%
          Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
          Potatoes $4.61$4.936.5%
          Pizza $12.03$12.090.5%
          Beer $10.57$10.411.5%

          Health Care

          Item Polson National avg. Difference
          Optometrist $105.94$125.6815.7%
          Doctor $115.67$135.7814.8%
          Dentist $112.63$113.290.6%
          Ibuprofen $10.57$10.650.7%
          Lipitor $444.64$468.605.1%

          Housing

          Item Polson National avg. Difference
          Home Price $193,200.00$184,700.004.6%
          Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,553.45$2,346.6933.8%
          Apartment Rent $765.00$949.0019.4%

          Transportation

          Item Polson National avg. Difference
          Gasoline $3.37$3.462.5%
          Tire Balancing $69.17$59.9215.4%

          Utilities

          Item Polson National avg. Difference
          All Electricity $176.82$193.998.9%
          Phone $182.36$192.255.1%
          Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

          Nearby cities with low cost of living

          City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
          Turtle Lake, MT124945.9%
          Big Arm, MT89945.9%
          Elmo, MT252945.9%
          Bear Dance, MT227945.9%
          Pablo, MT2,0328416.1%
          Polson, MT5,033954.9%

          Cities with similar population

          City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
          Crestwood, KY5,0341109.7%
          Swoyersville, PA5,031909.8%
          Union Grove, WI5,0311022.1%
          Grafton, WV5,0358019.6%
          Glendive, MT5,030928.0%
          Polson, MT5,033954.9%
          Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.