Living in Helena, Montana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Helena · Census data 2020–2024
Helena has 33,639 residents with a median age of 40.5. The median household income is $71,036 (about the same as the Montana median), the median home value is $387,300, the median rent is $1,092/month.
Helena at a glance
- Population
- 33,639
- Median age
- 40.5State: 40.4
- Median household income
- $71,036State: $72,509
- Median home value
- $387,300State: $375,800
- Median rent
- $1,092/moState: $1,081
- Homeowners
- 52.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50.6%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Helena a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 8.8%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the Montana median; home values 3% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Helena
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Helena the median home value is $387,300, 16% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,092 per month, which is 26.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,844 a month in housing costs.
Helena median household income
The median household income in Helena is $71,036 and the income per person is $46,928. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Montana: 11.5%).
Housing in Helena: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,591
- Owner-occupied
- 52.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 47.4%
- Vacant
- 4.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.04
Helena demographics
- Population
- 33,639
- Median age
- 40.5
- Under 18
- 19.1%
- 65 and older
- 21.7%
- Households
- 15,774
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Helena ›
Education in Helena
50.6% of adults 25 and older in Helena have a bachelor's degree or higher (Montana: 35.2%), and 18.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Helena
- Unemployment rate
- 2.9%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 16.2%
- Drive alone
- 64.4%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 7.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.4%
Helena vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 33,639 | $71,036 | $387,300 | $1,092 |
| South Hills | 620 | $168,235 | $703,800 | — |
| Unionville | 412 | $84,750 | $485,500 | — |
| Helena West Side | 1,417 | $66,921 | $402,300 | — |
| East Helena | 1,702 | $60,417 | $290,700 | $1,090 |
| Helena Valley West Central | 8,056 | $90,082 | $367,200 | $1,327 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | 9,108 | $74,075 | $331,500 | $1,106 |
| Montana City | 3,092 | $129,755 | $571,200 | $2,077 |
| Helena Valley Northeast | 4,659 | $140,517 | $576,700 | — |
More for people moving to Helena
Helena ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Helena: FAQ
What is the median household income in Helena, MT?
The median household income in Helena is $71,036, about the same as the Montana median of $72,509 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Helena?
The median home value in Helena is $387,300, compared with $375,800 in Montana.
How much is rent in Helena?
The median gross rent in Helena is $1,092 per month, about 26.1% of household income.
Is Helena, MT a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 8.8%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Montana median; home values 3% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Helena?
The median age in Helena is 40.5 years (Montana: 40.4).
How long is the commute in Helena?
The average commute to work in Helena is 14 minutes; 16.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Helena?
The unemployment rate in Helena is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Helena?
50.6% of adults in Helena have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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