City Comparison
Polson vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Polson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Polson
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% higher compared to Polson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Polson's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Polson | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $2,451 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Polson is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Polson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,356 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $53,418 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Polson runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Polson comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Polson sees 46.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Polson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 23.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 46.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Polson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Polson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 27.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Polson is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Polson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,428 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.05% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $61.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Polson
Advantages
Stunning natural beauty with proximity to Flathead Lake and outdoor recreational activities.
Growing economy supported by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing.
Affordable cost of living compared to the national average, with housing costs on par.
Strong community spirit and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Montana's favorable tax environment with no state income tax.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation options.
Housing market shows rapid rent acceleration and high median listing prices.
Weather can be unpredictable.
Poverty rate of 17.5% in 2024.
Job growth has seen a slight decline in recent years.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Polson
#57Montana, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.05%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#82Ohio, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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