Helena, Montana
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 39% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 51% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 14% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 73% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 28% of US places
- top 1% for commute time
- top 2% for sales tax
- bottom 3% for airport distance
Helena is a mid-size city in Montana with about 33,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, sales tax, and summer humidity. It rates lower on property crime and airport distance.
Official websitehelenamt.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm, dry summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Snowy
very cold
cold
cool
comfortable
hot
warm
comf.
cool
very cold
86%55%clearovercast
Precipitation 1.4 in0.4 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$65k54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$54kbetter than 22% of US places
Home Value$332k81st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$969better than 43% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 29% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.96%better than 52% of US places
Income Tax5.90%better than 33% of US places
Sales Tax0.00%better than 98% of US places
Estimated total tax burden10.81%better than 37% of US places
Unemployment3.2%better than 56% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)23°F16th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)70°F14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation11.4 in4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall37.2 inbetter than 25% of US places
Sunny Days244 daysbetter than 62% of US places
Summer Humidity44°Fbetter than 96% of US places
Comfortable Days49 daysbetter than 9% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk47.1better than 74% of US places
Air Quality47 AQIbetter than 47% of US places
School Quality48.0better than 32% of US places
Violent Crime2183/100kbetter than 6% of US places
Property Crime3269/100kbetter than 5% of US places
Community
Population32,52996th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.945th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1541st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9132nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+3460th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)88.1%57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.8%56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)4.8%56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.9%70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.4%73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time13 minbetter than 99% of US places
Walkability9.9/20better than 86% of US places
Airport Distance269 mibetter than 3% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.1%better than 46% of US places
Amenities Nearby72.55better than 48% of US places
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 25% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Helena an affordable place to live?
- Helena is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $54k, better than 22% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Helena?
- The median home value in Helena is $332k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Helena?
- Median household income in Helena is $65k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Helena?
- Median gross rent in Helena is $969 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Helena safe?
- Helena is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2183/100k (better than 6%). Property crime is 3269/100k.
- What is the weather like in Helena?
- Helena averages 70°F in July and 23°F in January, with 11.4 in of annual precipitation and about 244 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Helena?
- Public-school quality in Helena is below average, scoring better than 32% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Helena?
- The average one-way commute in Helena is 13 min.
Places near Helena
Compare Helena
Explore Montana
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)