salaryRent is lower than in 63% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.6 minutes. Most homes (85.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $56,280 a year. That is $27 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 15 of 27 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Helena Valley West Central?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Helena Valley West Central
| Size | Helena Valley West Central | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,199 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,692 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,751 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Helena Valley West Central overall?
Everyday prices in Montana overall are 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Helena Valley West Central, so the Montana figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Helena Valley West Central
Life in Helena Valley West Central
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Helena Valley West Central?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,141 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $367,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,720 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Helena Valley West Central, MT?
Renting in Helena Valley West Central costs a median of about $1,407 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Montana median is $1,260.
How much do I need to make to live in Helena Valley West Central?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $56,280 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Helena Valley West Central cheap or expensive?
Helena Valley West Central is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.4% of the typical household income of $97,153. It ranks 15th cheapest of 27 Montana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Helena Valley West Central?
The median homeowner in Helena Valley West Central pays $2,779 a year in property taxes, about 0.76% of the median home value.
Is Helena Valley West Central more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Montana are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Helena Valley West Central?
The median home value in Helena Valley West Central is $367,200, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
8,056 people live in Helena Valley West Central. Numbers are typical (middle) values.