Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in Helena, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 40% of gross income.
Helena rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Montana cities have lower median rent than Helena, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Helena
View full rent data for Helena, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in Helena, MT?
Median rent in Helena is $1,663 a month. A typical truck driver in Montana earns about $49,905 a year, which makes that rent 40% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in Helena?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Montana (~$49,905/yr) supports up to $1,248 a month in rent. Helena's current median rent is $1,663/mo, which is $415/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in Helena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a truck driver in Montana works roughly 69.3 hours a month to cover Helena's median rent of $1,663.
Where is rent cheaper than Helena for a truck driver?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Livingston ($1,600/mo), Missoula ($1,568/mo), Missoula ($1,550/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.