Townsend, MT vs East Helena, MT: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

East Helena, MT has a modeled overall cost index 3.4% higher than Townsend, MT.

Townsend, MT · modeled 2BR rent
$1,780 / month
East Helena, MT · modeled 2BR rent
$1,550 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Townsend, MT and East Helena, MT using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $212/month in East Helena, MT

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $152,549 in East Helena, MT

Regional cost estimates: Townsend, MT uses Spokane, WA. East Helena, MT uses Spokane, WA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 3.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$212
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$2.5K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Townsend, MT

Population:2K
Cost Index:
70.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$430K

East Helena, MT

Population:2K
Cost Index:
73.3
100 = national average
Typical Home:$414K

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Townsend, MT

The Treasure State

2K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Montana, this city has a population of 2K residents.

East Helena, MT

The Treasure State

2K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Montana, this city has a population of 2K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Townsend, MT vs East Helena, MT

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 3.4%
Townsend, MT
$1,885
East Helena, MT
$1,949
Difference
$64.19
more
Transportation
↑ 3.4%
Townsend, MT
$1,720
East Helena, MT
$1,778
Difference
$58.55
more
Other
↑ 3.4%
Townsend, MT
$1,395
East Helena, MT
$1,442
Difference
$47.49
more
Groceries
↑ 1.7%
Townsend, MT
$1,132
East Helena, MT
$1,151
Difference
$19.11
more
Healthcare
↑ 1.7%
Townsend, MT
$864
East Helena, MT
$879
Difference
$14.59
more
All Utilities
↑ 1.7%
Townsend, MT
$504
East Helena, MT
$513
Difference
$8.51
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,260
To$1,070
↓ $190
1 Bed
From$1,620
To$1,260
↓ $360
2 Bed
From$1,780
To$1,550
↓ $230
3 Bed
From$2,130
To$2,100
↓ $30.00
Townsend, MTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$1,620/mo

East Helena, MTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,260–$1,260/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Townsend, MT
$7,712
Monthly in East Helena, MT
$212
Difference

Home Values

Townsend
East Helena
$430K
Median Value
$414K
↓ -0.5%
YoY Change
↑ +0.4%
↑ +55.7%
5-Year Change
↑ +40.9%

Homes in East Helena are 4% less expensive than Townsend

Calculate payment - TownsendCalculate payment - East Helena

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Townsend, MT

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Montana State Tax
Effective: 6.4%
$9.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.1%
$46.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,618/month
$103.4K

East Helena, MT

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Montana State Tax
Effective: 6.4%
$9.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.1%
$46.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,618/month
$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Townsend, MT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%
Property Tax:0.8%

East Helena, MT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%
Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Townsend
East Helena
38 Good
Air Quality
38 Good
76.5%
Good Air Days
76.5%
90 Moderate
Climate Risk
90 Moderate
💨
Top Hazards
💨
▲+3.0°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.0°F
23 days
Heat Days >95°F
23 days
▲+3.0°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.0°F
23 days
Heat Days >95°F
23 days

Before moving from Townsend, MT to East Helena, MT

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in East Helena, MT for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Townsend, MT. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Townsend to East Helena moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to East Helena, MT by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Townsend, MT vs East Helena, MT

How do the cost estimates for Townsend, MT and East Helena, MT compare?

East Helena, MT has a modeled overall cost index 3.4% higher than Townsend, MT. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Townsend, MT, the model estimates $152,549 in East Helena, MT. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Townsend, MT and East Helena, MT?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,780/month in Townsend, MT and $1,550/month in East Helena, MT. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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