Helena, MT vs Plainfield, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Helena
69.1
#1251 nationally
Plainfield
64.6
#1687 nationally
Helena leads in average commute (13.4 min vs 30.6 min). Plainfield leads in crime level (11.3 vs 14.1). Helena leads in cost of living index (110 vs 122).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Helena, MT | Plainfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.1 (#1251) | 64.6 (#1687) |
| Population | 34,464 | 54,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $484,550 | $521,339 |
| Median Household Income | $64,798 | $70,712 |
| Average Commute | 13.4 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 14.1 | 11.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.7 | D+13.9 |
D+
69.1 Score
Helena, MT
Small Montana city with local appeal
Median Home
$484,550
Population
34,464
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
49
West
View Helena, MT →
D
64.6 Score
Plainfield, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$521,339
Population
54,670
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Plainfield, NJ →