ZIP Code · MT

ZIP 59601

Part of Helena, MT

Pop. 31,728·Lewis and Clark County·10th most expensive ZIP in Montana

Median rent (all units)

$1,573/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.4%

vs US Median

-$359

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 59601 · $1,573

More affordable than 68% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,130

1 BR

$1,310

2 BR

$1,640

3 BR

$2,240

4 BR+

$2,490

Research median

$1,640/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 59601 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Montana

Rent in ZIP 59601 changed +4.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 18 Montana ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($72,290) is $1,807 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,640); a 3-bedroom is $2,240.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 59601. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$18,876/yr

At $1,573/mo median

Location

CityHelena

StateMT

CountyLewis and Clark County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 59601 (Helena, MT) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 50.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

31,728

Median income

$72,290

Median age

41.6

Renters

44.2%

Age distribution

20.2%

20.6%

24.8%

12.7%

21.7%

Under 1820.2%

18–3420.6%

35–5424.8%

55–6412.7%

65+21.7%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

89.8%

White89.8%

Black0.9%

Hispanic3.7%

Other5.2%

Education (25+)

20.1%

24%

50.9%

No HS diploma4.9%

HS diploma20.1%

Some college24%

Bachelor's+50.9%

Housing tenure

55.8%

44.2%

Owner55.8%

Renter44.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 59601 in Helena, MT has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,312 → $1,573

up 19.9%

Income

$60,955 → $72,290

up 18.6%

Population

31,640 → 31,728

up 0.3%

Renter share

42% → 44.2%

+2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

51% → 50.9%

-0.1 pts

Median age

40.5 → 41.6

+1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 59601 in Helena, MT has shifted from $1,312 to $1,573, up 19.9% since 2023. Census figures show median household income at $72,290 today, compared with $60,955 five years earlier. The renter share has risen from 42% to 44.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 59601

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 59601 covers Helena, MT. The median rent here is $1,573/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,310/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,640/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($72,290/yr), ZIP 59601 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 59601?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (about $30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,573/mo in ZIP 59601. The local median household income is $72,290/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 59601?

Rent in ZIP 59601 has risen 4.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.

How does ZIP 59601 compare to other ZIPs in Montana?

ZIP 59601 is in the middle among Montana ZIP codes for rent, ranking #10 of 20 at $1,573/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 59601 changed +4.0%, against a typical +4.1% across the 18 Montana ZIP codes Zillow tracks.