Studio Apartment Rent in Helena, MT
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Helena, Montana as of July 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,663 and +16% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Helena
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Helena
Compare Helena's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Montana
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $883 |
| 2 | Butte | $940 |
| 3 | Laurel | $1,000 |
| 4 | Billings | $1,070 |
| 5 | Helena (this page) | $1,080 |
| 6 | Livingston | $1,090 |
| 7 | Missoula | $1,143 |
| 8 | Kalispell | $1,160 |
| 9 | Belgrade | $1,370 |
| 10 | Bozeman | $1,370 |
| 11 | Whitefish | $1,390 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Montana
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish | $1,390 |
| 2 | Bozeman | $1,370 |
| 3 | Belgrade | $1,370 |
| 4 | Kalispell | $1,160 |
| 5 | Missoula | $1,143 |
| 6 | Livingston | $1,090 |
| 7 | Helena (this page) | $1,080 |
| 8 | Billings | $1,070 |
| 9 | Laurel | $1,000 |
| 10 | Butte | $940 |
| 11 | Great Falls | $883 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Helena.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Helena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT | 39.1 mi | $940 | $-140 (-13%) |
| Belgrade, MT | 83 mi | $1,370 | +$290 (+27%) |
| Great Falls, MT | 90.6 mi | $883 | $-197 (-18%) |
| Bozeman, MT | 100.2 mi | $1,370 | +$290 (+27%) |
| Missoula, MT | 126.5 mi | $1,143 | +$63 (+6%) |
| Livingston, MT | 131.3 mi | $1,090 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Kalispell, MT | 191 mi | $1,160 | +$80 (+7%) |
| Whitefish, MT | 206.5 mi | $1,390 | +$310 (+29%) |
Studio rent in Helena — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Helena?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Helena, Montana is $1,080 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,663.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Helena?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $43,200 ($3,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $20.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Helena expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Helena's studio median of $1,080 is +16% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 33th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Helena rank for studio rent in Montana?
Among the 11 cities in Montana with studio data, Helena ranks #5 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Helena?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Butte ($940), Great Falls ($883).