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City Housing Verdict

Polson, MT

High Pressure

The cost of living in Polson, MT is 5% below the national average (Cost Index: 95). Homes here are typically valued around $321,000, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $51,463 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Polson already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 21% rent burden, 6.2x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 106. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Polson.

Monthly Housing
$921/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
21%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$2,868/mo
After housing and debt · $956/person
Rent vs Buy
Rent first
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: nonmetroHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 33%
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Cost Index
95
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$321,000
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$921/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$51,463
National: $78,538
Population
5,334
Purchasing Power
69
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
106 / 100
6% above average
Rent Index
68 / 100
32% below average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Utilities
88 / 100
12% lower utility bills
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Healthcare & Services
98 / 100
In line with national average
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Overall Index
95
Average

Polson Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $321,000 and Montana's property tax rate of 0.74%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$51,463
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
21%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
6.2x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Polson looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Polson, MT

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,375
Monthly Impact
$198
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.74%
National avg: ~1.00%

Montana Place Tax Context

Tax TypeMontanaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.74%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate5.9%~5.0%
State Sales TaxNo Sales Tax~5.0%

Compare Polson to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Polson, MT
95
68
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Polson, MT: 106
Rent Prices
68

FAQ: Living in Polson

What is the cost of living like in Polson, MT?+

Living costs in Polson land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 95 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $321,000, and typical monthly rents run around $921. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.

How does Polson fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $921, while local median household income is $51,463. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 21% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Polson, MT?+

Montana has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 5.9%. The effective property tax rate is 0.74%. On a home worth $321,000, that translates to roughly $2,375 per year in property taxes. There is no state sales tax.

How much does it cost to rent in Polson, MT?+

The typical monthly rent in Polson is around $921. That's roughly 32% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $321,000, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Polson, MT?+

The median home in Polson is valued at $321,000. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,623/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 53% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Polson?+

Grocery prices in Polson are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Polson, MT like to live in?+

Polson is a small town with a population of about 5,334. The median age of residents is 42.9, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 19.96%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Montana

If Polson feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Montana

Use these city pages when you want to compare Polson against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly