Cost of living index
Helena, MT
95.7 / 100
Living in Helena, MT is 4.3% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
95.7
Housing / rent
90.1
vs US average
−4.3%
What it costs to live in Helena, MT
Helena, MT has an overall price level of 95.7 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 4.3% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 90.1 it is 9.9% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Helena, MT an expensive place to live?
Helena, MT has an overall cost-of-living index of 95.7, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 4.3% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Helena, MT?
Housing in Helena, MT scores 90.1 against a US average of 100 — roughly 9.9% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Helena, MT compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Helena, MT sit at 95.7 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 90.1. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.