Last checked October 29, 2026.
Helena has the highest median wage of Montana’s larger towns, $55,040, and a single adult renting their own 1-bedroom needs about $51,200 a year. That leaves a median earner about $3,800 ahead, the most of any town we track.
At a glance
| Population | 35,138 (July 2025 Census estimate) |
| Region | Southwest Montana, Lewis and Clark County |
| Average 1-bedroom / 2-bedroom rent | $1,393 / $1,681 |
| Home prices | $441,476 median sale (Redfin, 3 months ending Sep 2026); $477,974 typical value (Zillow, Sep 2026) |
| Income needed, own 1-bedroom | $51,222 full budget; $55,720 by the 30% rule |
| Median wage, all jobs | $55,040 (Helena metro, May 2025) |
| Electric and gas | NorthWestern Energy for both |
| Resort tax | None; Wolf Creek (3%) is the nearest resort tax town |
| Buses | Capital Transit, $3 pre-scheduled or $5 same-day; $84 monthly pass |
| Airport / hospital | Helena Regional Airport / St. Peter’s Health |
Rent
| Source | 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zumper | $1,173 | $1,500 | Oct 2026 |
| RentCafe | $1,500 | $1,766 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Apartments.com | $1,507 | $1,777 | Oct 2026 |
| Average | $1,393 | $1,681 |
Buying a home
Redfin’s median sale price was $441,476 for the three months ending September 2026, down 1.2% from a year earlier (Redfin). Zillow’s typical home value was $477,974 in September 2026 (Zillow). See property tax for the 2026 homestead rate.
Monthly budget, own 1-bedroom
| Rent | $1,393 |
| Electric and gas (NorthWestern Energy typical bills) | $195 |
| Car, paid off | $441 |
| Groceries, health premium, phone and internet, eating out, renters insurance, other | $1,018 |
| Total | $3,047 |
| Salary needed with 10% saved, after taxes | $51,222 ($24.63 an hour) |
Sharing a 2-bedroom needs about $41,100. Try your own numbers in the salary calculator.
Common questions
How much do you need to make to live in Helena?
About $51,200 a year before taxes ($24.63 an hour) for a single adult renting their own 1-bedroom, with a paid-off car and 10% saved, at 2026 asking rents and tax rates (our calculation). The median job in the Helena metro paid $55,040 in May 2025 (BLS), the highest of Montana’s larger towns.
What is the average rent in Helena?
About $1,393 a month for a 1-bedroom and $1,681 for a 2-bedroom, the average of Zumper, RentCafe and Apartments.com asking rents in October 2026.
How much are property taxes in Helena?
On the $441,476 median home (Redfin, 2026), about $2,669 a year if you live in it and $6,501 as a second home, at Montana’s 2026 rates and a 775.08-mill levy taken from a 2025 Lewis and Clark County tax bill for a city parcel in District 01. Levies differ by district, so check your own bill. See property tax.
Does Helena have a sales tax?
No. Montana has no general sales tax, and Helena has no resort tax. The nearest resort tax community is Wolf Creek (3%).