Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Helena, Montana.
Median Home Price
$375K
Population
33K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,280
Property Tax Rate
0.74% *
* Property tax shown is the Montana state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Helena.
Helena vs Montana Median
The median home price in Helena is $375,000, which is 13% below the Montana state median of $430,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Helena, MT
Pre-filled with Helena median home price and Montana tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $375K home using Montana's 0.74% tax rate and $2,100/yr insurance.
5% Down
$2,866/mo
Down: $18,750
Loan: $356K
P&I: $2,252
Tax: $231
Insurance: $175
PMI: $208
10% Down
$2,736/mo
Down: $37,500
Loan: $338K
P&I: $2,133
Tax: $231
Insurance: $175
PMI: $197
20% Down (No PMI)
$2,302/mo
Down: $75,000
Loan: $300K
P&I: $1,896
Tax: $231
Insurance: $175
Income needed (28% rule): $99K/year with 20% down, $117K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Helena
Rent
$1,280/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$2,736/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 24.4 — At a ratio above 20, renting may be more economical in Helena for shorter stays. Buying costs $1,456 more per month than renting, and it typically takes 5-7 years to break even on the transaction costs of buying.
The median home price in Helena is $375,000, 13% below the Montana state median of $430,000. With a population of 33,124, Helena is a smaller market where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Montana.
Property taxes in Montana average 0.74% annually. This moderate property tax rate means a $375,000 home in Helena would carry roughly $231/month in property taxes. Homeowners insurance in Montana runs approximately $2,100 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in Helena is $1,280/month. With a price-to-rent ratio above 20, renting could be more economical in the short term — use our Rent vs Buy calculator to model your specific timeline.
Helena presents moderate affordability. The $375K median puts homeownership within reach for median-income households, though down payment savings and closing costs require planning.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Helena.