Polson2 · Montanabw / CC BY-SA 3.0CloudsAndLakeInMontana · Paul Frederickson / CC BY 2.5Polson3 · Montanabw / CC BY-SA 3.0Polson4 · Montanabw / CC BY-SA 3.0
Polson is a small town of 5,218 in Montana, with a median household income of $48,866
and a 6.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Polson stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Polson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Polson city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 94.2
Polson's overall cost of living index is 94.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Polson costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Polson, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$279,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$877
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
49.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,866
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Polson's violent crime rate is 987.9 per 100,000 residents
— 160% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
987.9 /100k
Property Crime
3119.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Polson is served primarily by Polson Elem.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Polson, MT
National Avg
School District
Polson Elem
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
27.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Polson sees average highs of 33.4°F in January
and 82.8°F in July,
with 15.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 33.6 inches of snow per year.
Polson's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Polson roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $279,400 and median rent is $877/month.
Polson's violent crime rate is 987.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3119.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Polson are operated by Polson Elem.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1. 27.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Polson, MT has a population of 5,218, a median household income of $48,866, and an unemployment rate of 6.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Polson averages 33.4°F in January and 82.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 15.0 inches
with about 33.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Polson, MT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 59860.
The population of Polson, Montana is 5,218 with a median age of 47.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Polson: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $279,400, median household income $48,866, crime index 215 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Polson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
