Metro area index
Home appreciation in the Helena, MT metro area
FHFA HPI® data shows the Helena, MT metro area's all-transactions index changed -1.2% over the year to Q2 2026, versus +2.7% for Montana and +3.0% for the U.S. That ranks 391st of 410 metro areas and divisions FHFA tracks.
- 1-year change
- -1.2%
- 5-year change
- +45.7%
- Since Q1 1995
- +383%
- Metro rank (1 year)
- 391st
U.S. +3.0%
U.S. +41.3%
U.S. +292%
of 410
Helena, MT vs Montana and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- Helena, MT: 482.8
- Montana: 496.2
- United States: 391.6
Appreciation by time window
| Window | Metro | MT | U.S. | Gap vs MT | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | -1.2% | +2.7% | +3.0% | −3.9 pts | −4.2 pts |
| 3 years | +10.5% | +11.3% | +12.9% | −0.7 pts | −2.3 pts |
| 5 years | +45.7% | +47.5% | +41.3% | −1.9 pts | +4.4 pts |
| 10 years | +114% | +113% | +93.3% | +0.8 pts | +20.6 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +383% | +396% | +292% | −13.4 pts | +91.3 pts |
3-digit ZIP regions in the Helena, MT area
Regions with at least 10% of their 2010 population inside the metro, largest overlap first. A 3-digit ZIP region can extend beyond the metro boundary.
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 | Population in metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 596 · Helena, MT area | MT | -0.0% | +45.7% | +384% | 98% |
Boom, bust, and recovery in Helena, MT area
Helena, MT area's index peaked in Q4 2007, fell 7.7% to its low in Q2 2011, and regained its peak in Q3 2014, about 6.8 years after the top. Today it sits +124% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | Q4 2007 | Q2 2011 | -7.7% | Q3 2014 (6.8 yrs) | +124% |
| MT | Q1 2008 | Q2 2011 | -10.1% | Q3 2014 (6.5 yrs) | +126% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, Helena, MT area's index has changed +118% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | Metro after inflation | MT after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | -4.9% | -1.1% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +0.7% | +1.3% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +17.5% | +18.9% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +53.8% | +53.2% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +118% | +124% | +76.8% |
If you bought in the Helena, MT area in…
An example $300,000 purchase grown at the metro index rate to Q2 2026.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the metro rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +364% | $1,393,391 |
| Q2 2000 | +305% | $1,214,413 |
| Q2 2005 | +202% | $905,948 |
| Q2 2010 | +140% | $719,288 |
| Q2 2015 | +120% | $660,539 |
| Q2 2020 | +76.3% | $528,914 |
| Q2 2021 | +45.7% | $437,051 |
| Q2 2023 | +10.5% | $331,615 |
| Q2 2025 | -1.2% | $296,402 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in the Helena, MT area?
- FHFA HPI® data for the Helena, MT metro area shows changes of -1.2% over one year, +45.7% over five years, and +114% over ten years to Q2 2026, and +383% since Q1 1995.
- Is the Helena, MT area beating the national average?
- Over the past year the metro's index moved −4.2 pts versus the U.S.; over five years the gap is +4.4 pts.
- What area does this metro index cover?
- FHFA computes metro indexes using the counties in each OMB-defined metropolitan statistical area. The index covers the whole area, so individual neighborhoods and homes can differ from it.