Helena, Montana: 2026 Relocation Deep Dive Report

Helena: The Data Profile (2026)

Helena, the state capital, represents a specific statistical niche in the post-2024 remote work landscape. With a population of 33,126, it functions as a micro-economy distinct from larger Montana metros. The primary statistical anomaly is the education-to-income ratio. While the median income sits at $69,341—a notable -7.0% deviation from the US median of $74,580—the city boasts a college-educated rate of 50.4%. This is 17.3 percentage points higher than the national average of 33.1%, indicating a highly skilled but historically underpaid workforce, likely concentrated in public sector or administrative roles typical of a state capital.

Target Demographic: The data identifies the ideal Helena transplant as a remote worker earning a national-average salary. This demographic leverages the city's high education infrastructure without being tethered to local wage caps. They are seeking 0.0% variance in daily goods (groceries/transport) relative to the US average, but with the implicit benefit of Montana's tax structure and utility costs.

Cost of Living Analysis

The cost of living index for Helena is a statistical outlier regarding stability. Across the five major categories—Housing, Groceries, Transportation, Healthcare, and Restaurants—the index is locked at 100.0, exactly matching the US average. However, the utility sector reveals the true financial advantage. Electricity costs average 12.66 cents/kWh, significantly lower than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh, representing a 20.9% savings on power.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis:
For a single earner making the median $69,341 (approx. $4,510 monthly after tax), the total expenditure of $2,210 leaves a disposable surplus of roughly $2,300. This is slightly higher than the national average surplus due to the low utility costs. For families, the $4,960 expense against the median household income leaves a tighter margin, suggesting dual-income households are statistically more comfortable here.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market in Helena is currently pegged to the national average, a rare occurrence for a capital city with high educational attainment. The Housing Index is 100.0, meaning the barrier to entry is statistically identical to the broader US market, despite the local income being -7.0% lower. This disconnect suggests that housing is relatively more expensive for locals than for national transplants.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Relative to National Curve:
Renting currently offers a slight statistical advantage relative to the national curve. With 1BR rent -4.2% below the US average, while home prices match it exactly, the entry cost for renting is lower. However, the $245 per square foot price is +11.4% higher than the US average, indicating that smaller, denser homes are holding higher value. For remote workers with national-level salaries, buying is viable; for those earning the local median, renting is the statistically safer liquidity play.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

Helena's economic stability is robust, driven by government employment and a growing remote-work contingent. The 3.3% unemployment rate is -17.5% lower than the US average of 4.0%, signaling a tight labor market. Post-2024 Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates have had minimal impact here; the lack of major corporate HQs means the "commute" is largely internal to state government buildings or home offices.

Commute times remain low. The average one-way commute is 15.2 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26.8 minutes. This saves commuters approximately 23.2 hours per year in transit time. Local industry stability is anchored by the state government, providing a recession-resistant floor for the local economy, insulating it from the volatility seen in tech-heavy metros.

Quality of Life Audit

Helena’s Quality of Life metrics are the strongest argument for relocation. The composite Health Score is 83.3/100, categorized as "GOOD," driven by statistically significant lower rates of chronic disease. The obesity rate is 29.9%, beating the US average (31.9%) by 2.0 percentage points, while the diabetes rate is 8.6%, a massive -21.1% deviation from the national average of 10.9%.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety & Environment:

• Crime: Violent crime is 2.1 per 1,000 residents (US avg: 4.0). Property crime is 15.4 per 1,000 (US avg: 19.0).
• Air Quality: The Air Quality Index (AQI) is pristine at 25 (Excellent), with PM2.5 levels at 3.8 µg/m³, roughly 55% cleaner than the national average.
• Schools: High school graduation rates are 92%, exceeding the US average of 88%.
• Weather: Currently 46.0°F with sunny conditions. Expect seasonal swings, but the current data reflects a pleasant, dry climate ideal for outdoor activity.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Health & Air: The 83.3 health score and 25 AQI are top-tier data points.
• Unemployment: The 3.3% rate indicates a highly stable employment environment.
• Utilities: Electricity at 12.66¢/kWh provides consistent monthly savings.
• Education: A population that is 50.4% college-educated creates a stimulating social environment.

Cons:

• Income Gap: Median income ($69,341) lags education levels (50.4% college grads) and the US average (-7.0%).
• Housing Value: Price per SqFt ($245) is +11.4% higher than average, suggesting a supply constraint.
• Remote Dependency: The value proposition relies heavily on earning a national salary; locals face a cost-of-living squeeze due to the income lag.

Final Recommendation:
Helena is a Buy for remote workers and a Rent for local hires. The data supports relocation for professionals who can bypass the local wage ceiling. The city offers a rare combination of urban amenities (high education index) and rural benefits (air quality, low crime) at a cost basis that matches the national average, provided you bring your own income source.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Helena?
For a single person, a salary of $65,000 is sufficient to cover the $2,210 monthly budget and maintain savings. For a family, a household income of $120,000+ is recommended to match the national standard of living.

2. How does the value proposition compare to other cities?
Helena offers better "Health Value" than Bozeman or Missoula. While housing matches the US average, the -20.9% savings on electricity and the -4.2% savings on rent (1BR) make it financially sharper than similarly sized cities in the West.

3. Are the safety statistics reliable?
Yes. Violent crime is 47.5% lower than the national average, and property crime is -18.9% lower. The low unemployment rate (3.3%) historically correlates with lower property crime rates.

4. What is the best timing for relocation?
Based on current weather data (High 58°F, Low 31°F), late Spring (May/June) is optimal. This aligns with the pre-winter rental cycle, often yielding better lease terms before the winter freeze sets in.