Cost of Living in Helena Valley West Central, MT

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B+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
40%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Helena Valley West Central Montana National
Cost of living109103100
Goods & Services99109100
Groceries100101100
Health care102111100
Housing140101100
Transportation94104100
Utilities8182100
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Homes For Sale In Helena Valley West Central, MT

property for sale

380 Best Place Rd

Helena, MT
property for sale

390 Hope Rd

Helena, MT
property for sale

6260 Head Ln

Helena, MT
property for sale

675 Copperhead Rd

Helena, MT

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Helena Valley West Central is 6% higher than the Montana average
  • The cost of living in Helena Valley West Central is 9% higher than the national average
  • Helena Valley West Central housing is 40% higher than the national average
  • Montana general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Montana state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Helena Valley West Central

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Compare Helena Valley West Central, MT Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$119,429$9,952$2,786$3,583
      Renters$62,086$5,174$1,449$1,863
      The affordability of the housing market in Helena Valley West Central, MT as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Helena Valley West Central homeowners, the median income is $119,429. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,786 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $62,086. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,449 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Montana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Montana 0% 0%

      Montana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Montana 1% 6.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Helena Valley West Central National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.83$27.6224.6%
      Beauty Salon $48.06$51.116.0%
      Toothpaste $4.02$4.091.8%
      Shampoo $1.42$1.547.9%
      Movie $11.16$12.8813.3%
      Yoga $16.28$19.6617.2%

      Groceries

      Item Helena Valley West Central National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.50$7.7010.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.6612.8%
      Milk $4.54$4.734.1%
      Potatoes $4.76$5.269.4%
      Pizza $12.76$12.760.0%
      Beer $10.15$10.553.8%

      Health Care

      Item Helena Valley West Central National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $186.17$140.0632.9%
      Doctor $150.28$153.822.3%
      Dentist $117.92$123.154.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.84$11.730.9%
      Lipitor $24.08$23.612.0%

      Housing

      Item Helena Valley West Central National avg. Difference
      Home Price $467,751.00$326,622.0043.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,262.25$2,480.258.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,927.00$1,444.0033.4%

      Transportation

      Item Helena Valley West Central National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.90$3.065.2%
      Tire Balancing $58.96$65.219.6%

      Utilities

      Item Helena Valley West Central National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $158.83$220.1227.8%
      Phone $186.83$195.714.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Marysville, MT73937.4%
      East Helena, MT1,731982.0%
      Helena Valley Southeast, MT8,8161021.8%
      Helena, MT33,8201065.7%
      Helena Valley Northwest, MT4,4031087.7%
      Helena Valley West Central, MT8,3191099.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ellsworth, ME8,3191010.9%
      Garden City Park, NY8,32217575.2%
      Crestwood Village, NJ8,315918.6%
      Rolling Hills Estates, CA8,314277177.4%
      Richland Hills, TX8,314991.3%
      Helena Valley West Central, MT8,3191099.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
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