At $1,617/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,617 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Helena, MT is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, 50.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Helena, MT has changed in 5 years
Since 2023, the typical rent in Helena, MT has climbed from $1,407 to $1,617, a 14.9% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Helena, MT now reports about $71,036, up from $59,712 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 4.9% since 2021, moving from about 32,060 residents to roughly 33,639. Renters now make up 47.4% of households, compared with 44% five years ago. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Helena, MT reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Helena on your salary?
At $1,617/mo, how Helena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Helena rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Helena. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Helena
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Helena is $1,617/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,580/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,250/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,080/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($71,036/yr), Helena ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Helena an affordable city for renters?
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How does Helena rent compare to other cities in Montana?
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What percentage of Helena residents rent vs. own?
How does Helena rent compare to the national average?
At $1,617/mo, rent takes ~27% of Helena's median household income ($71,036/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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