Last checked October 29, 2026.
Southwest Montana has some of the state’s most affordable towns: renting your own 1-bedroom takes about $42,000 to $44,000 a year at current asking rents in Butte and Anaconda, versus about $51,200 in Helena. Helena also has the highest median wage of Montana’s metro areas ($55,040 in May 2025; see wages by area).
| Town | Census median rent, 1-bedroom | Income needed at Census rent | Income needed at current asking rents | Census median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon | $666 | $34,369 | $256,700 | |
| Butte | $695 | $34,899 | $43,527 | $257,800 |
| Anaconda | $696* | $34,917 | $42,229 | $231,700 |
| Helena | $883 | $38,336 | $51,222 | $387,300 |
* All unit sizes; the Census 1-bedroom figure was too uncertain. Census figures: ACS 2020–2024, rent paid including utilities. Income needed: single adult, paid-off car, 10% saved, after taxes. See all towns for details.
Region notes
- Resort tax: 3% in Virginia City, Wolf Creek and Craig (details).
- Utilities: NorthWestern Energy serves Helena, Butte and Anaconda for electricity and gas.
- Getting around: Butte’s city buses are free.