Cost of Living in Helena Valley Southeast, MT
Population 9,533 · Montana · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Helena Valley Southeast sits on the smaller end of the Montana city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Located 170 miles west of Billings, Helena Valley Southeast is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Billings' $312,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Helena Valley Southeast
The median home value in Helena Valley Southeast is $308,000 — 1% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,231/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,824/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, above 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 Southeast has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less expensive.
Helena Valley Southeast is within a protected area
This area is within or adjacent to protected federal land. Residential housing is concentrated in nearby towns — here are the closest communities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32 | 37 | 48 | 57 | 66 | 75 | 86 | 85 | 73 | 58 | 43 | 33 |
| Low °F | 14 | 17 | 25 | 32 | 42 | 49 | 55 | 53 | 45 | 34 | 23 | 14 |
| Precip" | 0.39 | 0.42 | 0.52 | 1.02 | 1.95 | 2.21 | 1.06 | 1.04 | 0.96 | 0.78 | 0.59 | 0.46 |
| Snow" | 6.6 | 6.6 | 4.6 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 5.4 | 7.7 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Helena Valley Southeast, MT?
Helena Valley Southeast has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.
What is average rent in Helena Valley Southeast, MT?
The median gross rent in Helena Valley Southeast is $1,231 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Helena Valley Southeast?
The median home value in Helena Valley Southeast is $308,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Helena Valley Southeast?
The median household income in Helena Valley Southeast is $63,824 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Helena Valley Southeast, MT?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Helena Valley Southeast is 0.0%. The Montana state income tax top rate is 6.8%.
Is Helena Valley Southeast, MT affordable?
Helena Valley Southeast is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Helena Valley Southeast?
Helena Valley Southeast 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 Southeast at a Glance
- Population
- 9,533
- Median Income
- $63,824
- Home Value
- $308,000
- Median Rent
- $1,231/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 57.7°F
- Sales Tax
- 0.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Montana Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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