$146,164/yr
is the income needed to buy the typical $475,936 home in Helena, MT at today's 6.95% rate — about $3,410/mo. The local median household ($74,040) falls $72,124 short.
The math (shown)
475,936 price − 10% down (47,594) = 428,342 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.95% on 428,342 = 2,835/mo principal+interest
+ 575/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
3,410/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 12,180/mo → 146,164/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-08 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)) and the 6.95% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-09-17). Local median income: $74,040 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year, median household income (table B19013)).
Can I afford Helena, MT on my salary?
Your salary:
Rent vs own here
Honest null: HUD FMR needs a free huduser.gov token (env.HUD_TOKEN). Honest-null until set. (HUD FMR needs a free token; not wired here.)
FAQ
How much do I need to make to live in Helena, MT?
To buy the typical home, about $146,164/yr. Renting needs less; this page sizes the buy.
What home value is this based on?
Zillow's ZHVI typical-home-value for the Helena, MT metro (2026-08): $475,936.
Is the mortgage rate current?
Yes — 6.95% from FRED's weekly 30-year fixed average (2026-09-17).
Glossary
ZHVI
Zillow Home Value Index — the typical home value for a region (35th–65th percentile, smoothed, seasonally adjusted).
Front-end DTI
Housing payment as a share of gross income; lenders commonly cap it near 28%.
PITI
Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the full monthly housing cost.