Cost of Living in Helena Valley Northeast, MT

Population 4,398 · Montana · Data vintage 2023

128
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Incomes in Helena Valley Northeast punch well above what you'd expect from a town of 4,398. The reason is straightforward: extraction-sector wages. Median household earnings of $137,724 pair with home values that remain well below the national median. An unemployment rate of 1.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 175 miles west of Billings, Helena Valley Northeast is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 48% higher than Billings' $312,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 152
Rent 93

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Helena Valley Northeast

The median home value in Helena Valley Northeast is $462,400 — 52% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,221/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $137,724/year is 85% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Montana's top state income tax rate is 6.8% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. The climate averages highs of 57.7°F and lows of 33.4°F, with about 37.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Helena Valley Northeast has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$462,400
52% above avg
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
7% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$930
1 BR
$1,018
2 BR
$1,266
3 BR
$1,671
4 BR
$1,925
Owner-occupied 95.7%
Renter-occupied 4.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,221
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,835/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.7 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.8%
Carpooled
10.5%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
14.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.8%
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$137,724
85% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,277
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
65% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.4%
Graduate degree 15.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.8
Male median age 45.8
Female median age 48.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.7°F
Avg Low
33.4°F
Annual Precip
11.4"
Annual Snowfall
37.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323748576675868573584333
Low °F 141725324249555345342314
Precip" 0.390.420.521.021.952.211.061.040.960.780.590.46
Snow" 6.66.64.62.90.10.00.00.30.22.85.47.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
65.8%
Good air days/yr
165
Max AQI recorded
182
PM2.5 days
183
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Helena Valley Northeast, MT?

Helena Valley Northeast has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.

What is average rent in Helena Valley Northeast, MT?

The median gross rent in Helena Valley Northeast is $1,221 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Helena Valley Northeast?

The median home value in Helena Valley Northeast is $462,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Helena Valley Northeast?

The median household income in Helena Valley Northeast is $137,724 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Helena Valley Northeast, MT?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Helena Valley Northeast is 0.0%. The Montana state income tax top rate is 6.8%.

Is Helena Valley Northeast, MT affordable?

Helena Valley Northeast is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Helena Valley Northeast?

Helena Valley Northeast has average high temperatures of 57.7°F and average lows of 33.4°F. Annual precipitation is 11.4". Average annual snowfall is 37.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Helena Valley Northeast at a Glance

Population
4,398
Median Income
$137,724
Home Value
$462,400
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Avg High Temp
57.7°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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