Signals
Kalispell
Helena
Growth
97 · Top 1%
vs82 · Top 5%
Climate
59 · Bottom 23%
vs55 · Bottom 11%
Physical resilience
38 · Bottom 27%
vs69 · Top 31%
Housing affordability
64 · Bottom 8%
vs77 · Bottom 19%
Access
95 · Top 17%
vs99 · Top 4%
Economic stability
66 · Top 31%
vs82 · Top 13%
Measured values
| Metric | Kalispell | Helena | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,695 | 93,906 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,925 | $78,528 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,557 | $44,973 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 22/sq mi | 15/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $535,500 | $401,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,142 | $1,082 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.4% | 73.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.2% | 40.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,211 | 590 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 10.9 | 6.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 283.2% | 25.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 14°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 34.6" | 11.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.2 min | 21.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.2 | 42.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Kalispell
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, wildfire.
Helena
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Full profiles: Kalispell, MT Micro Area · Helena, MT Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology