Moving to Helena
What you need to know before relocating to Helena, Montana. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Helena a Good Place to Live?
Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Helena compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($1,088/mo) is below the national average; low unemployment rate (2.5%) signals a strong job market; high school graduation rate of 95%.
Helena at a Glance
Cost of Living in Helena
The median rent in Helena is $1,088/month, while the median home value is $400,100. With a median household income of $76,866, residents spend roughly 17% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Helena metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Helena has a median household income of $76,866, which is 3% above the national median. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Helena
The violent crime rate in Helena is 442 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 1834 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Montana
Montana has a high school graduation rate of 95% and per-pupil spending of $15,500/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
38% of Montana adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Montana has 222 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 7.6% uninsured rate, and 2.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Montana is 76.3 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Helena
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($1,088/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Low unemployment rate (2.5%) signals a strong job market
- ✓High school graduation rate of 95%
- ✓Low uninsured rate (7.6%) and good healthcare access
-Cons
- ✗Home prices ($400,100) are above the US median
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (39414 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena a good place to live?⌄
Helena, Montana has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($1,088/mo) is below the national average and low unemployment rate (2.5%) signals a strong job market. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena?⌄
The median rent in Helena is $1,088/month and the median home value is $400,100. The median household income is $76,866. Overall the metro is considered average.
Is Helena safe?⌄
Helena has a violent crime rate of 442 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Helena?⌄
Helena has an unemployment rate of 2.5%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $76,866.