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Area data

Helena, MT — ZIP 59601

Population: 31,728 (Census ACS)

The median home value in ZIP 59601 (Helena, MT) is $446,458 — up 3.1% over the past year. Homes sell for a median $325,000 after a median 142 days on market. Typical rent runs $1,505/month. 12 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with winterweather, coldwave, avalanche the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 4.5% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$446,458

Median home value

+3.1%

1-year change

142

Median days on market

Relatively Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$446,458
1-year appreciation
+3.1%
3-year appreciation
+10.2%
5-year appreciation
+28.6%
10-year appreciation
+98.5%
All-time peak (2026-04)
$446,503
House Price Index (state)
724.8 (-1.8% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median sale price
$325,000
Median list price
$425,000
Median price per sqft
$254
1-year sale-price change
+6.6%
Median days on market
142 days
Homes sold (recent period)
27
For-sale inventory
150
Active listings
30
1-year forecast
+2.0%
New listings (monthly)
46

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$1,505/mo
1-year rent change
+1.9%
Studio fair-market rent
$1,130/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,310/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$1,640/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$2,240/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$2,490/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Average)
95.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
13.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$9.00/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
12
Elementary schools
8
Middle schools
2
High schools
2
School districts serving the area
Helena Elem, Helena H S
Schools include
Kessler Elementary School, Broadwater School, Bryant School, Central School, Four Georgians School

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
winterWeather, coldWave, avalanche, landslide, lightning
Notable hazard ratings (county)
avalanche: Relatively Moderate · coldWave: Relatively High · earthquake: Relatively Low · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low · landslide: Relatively Moderate · lightning: Relatively Moderate
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 91% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
46.1%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
1
Nearest Superfund site
Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area (4 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
46.0°F
Average high
58.0°F
Average low
34.0°F
Annual precipitation
13.4 in
Annual snowfall
37.6 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
4b (extreme annual low -25 to -20°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
45
Days with Good air quality
240
Days with Moderate air quality
120
Days with Unhealthy air quality
2
Highest AQI recorded (year)
165

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
11.2 / 20
Transit service frequency
-99,999
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
11,727
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
8,360

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
1
Nearest national park
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site (27 mi)
Airports within 30 mi
14
Nearest airport
Ten Mile Airport (3 mi)
Nearest major airport
Helena Regional Airport (HLN) (12 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
2
Hospitals include
ST PETERS HEALTH, SHODAIR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
4.0 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
4.0 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.0 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+607 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,972
Housing built before 1970
46.2%
Housing built 2000 or later
18.4%
Median annual property tax
$3,482
Mean commute to work
12 min
Households with broadband internet
75.0%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
28,110
Average weekly wage
$1,076
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Professional Services
Annual residential building permits (county)
99

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

ZIP 59601State medianUS median
Median home value$446,458$425,267$289,727
Median sale price$325,000$499,000$325,000
Median days on market142 days110 days51 days
Typical rent$1,505/mo$1,505/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$3,482$1,830$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in ZIP 59601?
$446,458.
What is the median sale price in ZIP 59601?
$325,000.
How long do homes take to sell in ZIP 59601?
Median days on market: 142 days.
What is typical rent in ZIP 59601?
Typical rent: $1,505/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in ZIP 59601?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: winterWeather, coldWave, avalanche, landslide, lightning.
What is the wildfire risk in ZIP 59601?
Risk to homes is higher than 91% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in ZIP 59601?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near ZIP 59601?
1 current or proposed National Priorities List site within 5 miles (EPA). Nearest site: Upper Tenmile Creek Mining Area, 4 mi.
How many schools serve ZIP 59601?
12 schools (8 elementary, 2 middle, 2 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
Is ZIP 59601 walkable?
Walkability index: 11.2/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in ZIP 59601?
Good. Median AQI: 45. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in ZIP 59601?
Regional Price Parity: 95.5 (100 = US average) (Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

Nearby ZIP codes

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents