Signals
Kalispell
Missoula
Growth
97 · Top 1%
vs73 · Top 15%
Climate
59 · Bottom 23%
vs58 · Bottom 19%
Physical resilience
38 · Bottom 27%
vs66 · Top 36%
Housing affordability
64 · Bottom 8%
vs68 · Bottom 11%
Access
95 · Top 17%
vs92 · Top 20%
Economic stability
66 · Top 31%
vs85 · Top 8%
Measured values
| Metric | Kalispell | Missoula | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,695 | 125,631 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,925 | $74,989 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,557 | $45,638 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 22/sq mi | 33/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $535,500 | $466,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,142 | $1,184 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.4% | 59.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.2% | 46.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 10.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,211 | 876 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 10.9 | 7.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 283.2% | 18.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 34.6" | 14.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 13 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.2 min | 19.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.2 | 37.5 | 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.
Missoula
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, avalanche, earthquake.
Full profiles: Kalispell, MT Micro Area · Missoula, MT Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology