A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
27%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Montana National
Cost of living104101100
Goods & Services90104100
Groceries100103100
Health care9398100
Housing12799100
Transportation103109100
Utilities9393100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Helena, MT

The cost of living in Helena affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Helena is 104, which is 4% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Helena aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Helena residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Helena cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 26.5% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday essentials such as clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment all contribute to your overall cost of living. The good news is that in Helena, these goods and services come in at 10.2% less than the national average. This means you can enjoy the things you need and love without breaking the bank. With such savings, you have the opportunity to allocate more funds towards your savings or other financial goals, ultimately enhancing your financial well-being.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Helena?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 8 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Helena. The feedback revealed that 38% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 63% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Helena Affordable?

Is Helena an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Helena is 42.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 11% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Helena has a median household income of $60,074, which is 8.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Helena?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Helena, the groceries index registers 0.3% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Helena, the transportation index stands at 2.7% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Helena, healthcare costs are 7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Helena cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Helena is 2% higher than the Montana average
  • The cost of living in Helena is 4% higher than the national average
  • Helena housing is 27% 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

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Compare Helena, MT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      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$79,754$6,646$1,861$2,393
      Renters$40,863$3,405$953$1,226
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Helena, MT, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Helena, the median monthly income is $79,754 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,861 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $40,863, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $953 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 National avg. Difference
      Haircut $15.71$24.2635.2%
      Beauty Salon $37.87$45.5616.9%
      Toothpaste $4.19$3.7013.3%
      Shampoo $1.16$1.289.2%
      Movie $12.99$12.137.1%
      Bowling $16.78$18.006.8%

      Groceries

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.31$5.848.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.59$1.571.2%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $4.61$4.936.5%
      Pizza $12.03$12.090.5%
      Beer $10.57$10.411.5%

      Health Care

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.94$125.6815.7%
      Doctor $115.67$135.7814.8%
      Dentist $112.63$113.290.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.57$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $444.64$468.605.1%

      Housing

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Home Price $263,300.00$184,700.0042.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,553.45$2,346.6933.8%
      Apartment Rent $845.00$949.0011.0%

      Transportation

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.37$3.462.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.17$59.9215.4%

      Utilities

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $176.82$193.998.9%
      Phone $182.36$192.255.1%
      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, MT71918.5%
      East Helena, MT1,684964.1%
      Helena Valley Southeast, MT8,5461010.5%
      Jefferson City, MT59611312.6%
      Helena Valley Northwest, MT4,2561066.0%
      Helena, MT32,6551043.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Orangeville, ON32,668n/a 
      Matthews, NC32,68211514.6%
      Uniondale, NY32,62114747.2%
      St. Charles, IL32,61211918.6%
      Florence, KY32,721981.9%
      Helena, MT32,6551043.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.