Helena, Montana
In Helena, Montana, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.74 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.32 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,527, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Helena's cost-of-living index of 85 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.74
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,527
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$10.90
Combo meal
Electricity
12.86¢
per kWh · ~$116/mo
Car Insurance
$165/mo
$1,980/yr
Median Household Income
$74,543
32.9% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,980 in Helena. Compare rates:
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Avg rent $1,527/mo in Helena. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.13 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.65 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.30 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.94 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.62 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.54 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$4.71 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.44 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.05 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.65 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.15 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.55 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.69 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.65 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.00 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.99 | $5.13 | +28.6% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.11 | $7.65 | +25.2% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.40 | $6.30 | +16.7% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.45 | $1.94 | +33.8% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.91 | $4.62 | +18.2% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.07 | $11.54 | +43.0% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.46 | $4.71 | +36.1% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.76 | $4.44 | +18.1% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.31 | $5.05 | +17.2% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.09 | $2.65 | +26.8% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.69 | $2.15 | +27.2% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.12 | $7.55 | +47.5% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.95 | $4.69 | +18.7% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.42 | $5.65 | +27.8% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.77 | $8.00 | +38.6% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$10.90
Casual Dining
$20.99
Monthly Spend
$354.51
+5.43% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.76
$10.90
+61.2%Wendy's
2022: $7.63
$11.77
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $8.18
$12.21
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $3.82
$5.30
+38.7%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Helena?
Average 1BR: $1,252/mo · 2BR: $1,802/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
40k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,197
$62k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$75k
household median
Employment by Sector — Helena
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$58k/yr
~$49k/yr
~$77k/yr
~$27k/yr
~$52k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 30049
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,936/wk · $101k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$515/wk · $27k/yr
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