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Helena, MT

Cost of living in Lewis and Clark County, MT

Part of the Helena Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,331/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 72,580 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,259 38%
Federal tax $584 18%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $334 10%
Transport $250 8%
State tax $204 6%
Energy $160 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Lewis and Clark County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,094
per month
1 bedroom
$1,259
per month
2 bedroom
$1,596
per month
3 bedroom
$2,106
per month
4 bedroom
$2,397
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lewis and Clark County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$74,543
per year
Individual earnings
$45,750
per year
Per capita
$43,263
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lewis and Clark County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$358,200
Annual property tax
$2,886

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lewis and Clark County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$103
per month · 12.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$57
per month
Annual total
$1,920
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Lewis and Clark County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Lewis and Clark County

State and local tax rates for Montana.

State income tax
5.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
0.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Lewis and Clark County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
17.5 min
Drive alone
69.2%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
12.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lewis and Clark County

What it costs to live in Lewis and Clark County each month.

Single person
$3,331
per month
  • Rent $1,259
  • Energy $160
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $334
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $584
  • State tax $204
Couple
$4,861
per month
  • Rent $1,596
  • Energy $192
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $553
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $890
  • State tax $346
Family
$7,507
per month
  • Rent $2,106
  • Energy $240
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $840
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $890
  • State tax $346

Frequently asked questions about Lewis and Clark County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lewis and Clark County?

In Lewis and Clark County, MT, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,259 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,596 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,106 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lewis and Clark County?

In Lewis and Clark County, MT, the average household income is $74,543 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $45,750 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lewis and Clark County?

The estimated cost of living in Lewis and Clark County, MT is approximately $3,331 per month for a single person, $4,861 for a couple, $7,507 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lewis and Clark County?

The combined sales tax rate in Lewis and Clark County, MT is 0.00%, which includes the Montana state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Lewis and Clark County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lewis and Clark County, MT would need approximately $3,331 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $74,543 per year ($6,212 per month). Lewis and Clark County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Lewis and Clark County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lewis and Clark County, MT is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lewis and Clark County?

The average home value in Lewis and Clark County, MT is $358,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,886, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lewis and Clark County compare to other areas?

You can compare Lewis and Clark County, MT with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lewis and Clark County is in the Helena, MT metro area.

Other counties in Montana

Browse the full list of counties in Montana, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Montana

Compare Lewis and Clark County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources