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MT area data

Helena, MT

Aggregated across 3 ZIP codes in Helena.

Population: 63,145 (Census ACS)

The typical home value in Helena, MT is $487,204 — up 3.0% over the past year. Homes sell for a median $530,000 after a median 58 days on market. Typical rent runs $1,701/month. 20 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with winter weather, cold wave, avalanche the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 5.4% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$487,204

Typical home value

+3.0%

1-year change

58

Median days on market

Relatively Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Typical home value
$487,204
1-year appreciation
+3.0%
3-year appreciation
+9.8%
5-year appreciation
+28.4%
10-year appreciation
+102.4%
Peak value since 2000 (Aug 2026)
$487,204
House Price Index (state)
753.3 (+2.6% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median sale price
$530,000
Median list price
$513,125
Median price per sqft
$263
1-year sale-price change
+8.4%
Median days on market
58 days
Homes sold (recent period)
221
For-sale inventory
310
Sale-to-list ratio
100.0%
Active listings
266
1-year forecast
+2.0%
New listings (monthly)
80

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$1,701/mo
1-year rent change
+2.3%
Studio fair-market rent
$1,151/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,320/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$1,653/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$2,289/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$2,392/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
94.6 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
13.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$9.00/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
7.40%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.73%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
20
Elementary schools
13
Middle schools
3
High schools
4
Avg student-teacher ratio
16.6 : 1
School districts serving the area
Helena Elem, Helena H S
Schools include
Kessler Elementary School, Broadwater School, Bryant School, Central School, Four Georgians School

Source: NCES school directory, 2024-25 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
winter weather, cold wave, avalanche, landslide, lightning
Notable hazard ratings (county)
winter weather: Very High · cold wave: Relatively High · wildfire: Relatively Moderate · avalanche: Relatively Moderate · landslide: Relatively Moderate · lightning: Relatively Moderate
Most common flood zone among NFIP claims (varies by location)
Zone AO
NFIP flood claims on record
90
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 91% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
46.1%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
1
Nearest Superfund site
Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area (4 mi)
Flood zones vary by property. Look up a specific address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA NFIP flood-insurance claims (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
56.0°F
Average high
65.0°F
Average low
46.7°F
Annual precipitation
15.9 in
Annual snowfall
24.9 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
4b (extreme annual low -25 to -20°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
44
Days with Good air quality
261
Days with Moderate air quality
104
Highest AQI recorded (year)
93

Source: EPA annual air quality index (county-level)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
8.0 / 20
Transit service frequency
-99,999
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
8,085
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
6,504

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
1
Nearest national park
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site (27 mi)
Airports within 30 mi
15
Nearest airport
Helena Regional Airport (HLN) (3 mi)
Nearest major airport
Helena Regional Airport (HLN) (3 mi)
Hospitals in or near a typical ZIP here
5
Hospitals include
ST PETERS HEALTH, SHODAIR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, BENEFIS HOSPITALS INC
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.1 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
4.3 / 5
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
4
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.0 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data (same ZIP, else within ~40 mi) · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+607 tax filers

Source: IRS SOI county-to-county migration (county-level; published with a multi-year lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1985
Housing built before 1970
27.6%
Housing built 2000 or later
31.7%
Median annual property tax
$3,223
Mean commute to work
15 min
Households with broadband internet
71.3%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
28,654
Average weekly wage
$1,187
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Professional Services
Annual residential building permits (county)
193

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

HelenaState medianUS median
Typical home value$487,204$426,961$288,527
Median sale price$530,000$499,000$325,000
Median days on market58 days110 days51 days
Typical rent$1,701/mo$1,569/mo$1,809/mo
Median annual property tax$3,223$1,830$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the typical home value in Helena, MT?
$487,204.
What is the median sale price in Helena, MT?
$530,000.
How long do homes take to sell in Helena, MT?
Median days on market: 58 days.
What is typical rent in Helena, MT?
Typical rent: $1,701/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Helena, MT?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: winter weather, cold wave, avalanche, landslide, lightning.
Is Helena, MT in a flood zone?
Flood zones vary by property across the city. 90 FEMA flood-insurance (NFIP) claims are on record; the most common zone among them is AO. Check a specific address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
What is the wildfire risk in Helena, MT?
Risk to homes is higher than 91% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Helena, MT?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Helena, MT?
1 current or proposed National Priorities List site within 5 miles (EPA). Nearest site: Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area, 4 mi.
How many schools serve Helena, MT?
20 schools (13 elementary, 3 middle, 4 high) (NCES, 2024-25).
Is Helena, MT walkable?
Walkability index: 8.0/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in Helena, MT?
Good. Median AQI: 44. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT?
Regional Price Parity: 94.6 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP codes in Helena

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Oct 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents