salaryRent is lower than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 13.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $65,960 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Montana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Montana. It is number 21 of 27 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Helena?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Helena
| Size | Helena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $780 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $936 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,220 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,734 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,449 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Helena overall?
Everyday prices in the Helena metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Helena
Life in Helena
What jobs pay in Helena
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $146,400 | 13.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,420 | 14.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,030 | 14.8% |
| Lawyer | $108,410 | 18.3% |
| Operations Manager | $101,510 | 19.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,710 | 19.6% |
| Software Developer | $99,370 | 19.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $98,690 | 20.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,200 | 20.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $79,700 | 24.8% |
| Electrician | $78,760 | 25.1% |
| Accountant | $76,700 | 25.8% |
| Police Officer | $75,430 | 26.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,820 | 30.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,690 | 31.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,670 | 31.6% |
| Carpenter | $58,490 | 33.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,980 | 34.1% |
| Truck Driver | $56,800 | 34.8% |
| Firefighter | $54,260 | 36.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,680 | 42.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,760 | 43.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,520 | 46.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,980 | 48.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,030 | 52.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,990 | 55.0% |
| Cashier | $34,750 | 56.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,020 | 86.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Helena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,038 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $387,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $38,730 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Helena, MT?
Renting in Helena costs a median of about $1,649 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Montana median is $1,260.
How much do I need to make to live in Helena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $65,960 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Helena cheap or expensive?
Helena is rated OK: rent takes 25.8% of the typical household income of $76,612. It ranks 21st cheapest of 27 Montana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Helena?
The median homeowner in Helena pays $3,552 a year in property taxes, about 0.92% of the median home value.
Is Helena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Helena?
The median home value in Helena is $387,300, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
33,639 people live in Helena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.