East Helena, Montana Short-Term Rental Market
East Helena STRs averaged $158/night at 42.8% occupancy in April 2026, with peak July rates reaching $201/night.
Quick Answer: East Helena, Montana is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Montana Area market area is 57%. average monthly revenue in the Montana Area market area is $3,539. average daily rate in the Montana Area market area is $218. the top operator in the Montana Area market area is Evolve with 166 listings. market score is 53/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Montana Area regional market, which includes East Helena. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to East Helena.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
East Helena, Montana is a small residential community of approximately 2,138 residents located about 5 miles east of Helena, the state capital. The STR market here draws primarily from demand tied to Helena’s historic downtown, state-government business travel, and outdoor recreation at Canyon Ferry Lake and surrounding mountains. The market recorded a $158.38 average daily rate and 42.84% occupancy in April 2026, producing a RevPAR of $67.85. Total active listings are approximately 4,398, split between entire-place rentals (4,116 units, 94%) and private rooms (282 units, 6%). No shared-room listings are tracked for this area.
By bedroom count, the market is weighted toward smaller properties: 1-bedroom units lead at 1,520, followed by 2-bedrooms (1,253), 3-bedrooms (956), 4-bedrooms (420), and 5-bedrooms (235). Airbnb dominates the channel mix with 2,120 Airbnb-only listings and 456 VRBO-only; 1,822 listings appear on both platforms.
Year-over-year as of April 2026, occupancy held nearly flat at +0.03%, ADR increased 2.86%, and revenue grew 1.86%. The market shows stable, low-volatility performance rather than rapid expansion. The total market score is 52.71 out of 100, with investability at 71.24 and rental demand at 62.46, suggesting steady demand fundamentals in a small market.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 38% |
| Feb | 46% |
| Mar | 46% |
| Apr | 43% |
| May | 52% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 66% |
| Aug | 59% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 45% |
| Nov | 47% |
| Dec | 43% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for East Helena are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Montana Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Montana Area market as a whole, which includes East Helena, so these counts are not East Helena-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 166 | 7,587 | ★ 4.84 |
| 2 | AAA Red Lodge Rentals | 46 | 3,535 | ★ 4.92 |
| 3 | Red Lodge Reservations | 32 | 1,813 | ★ 4.89 |
| 4 | Alpine Basin Homes | 30 | 881 | ★ 4.95 |
| 5 | Anaconda Pintler Property Services | 30 | 713 | ★ 4.95 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in East Helena?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for East Helena are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 48.2% |
| vrbo | 10.4% |
| both | 41.4% |
Home Value Trends (East Helena)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for East Helena are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for East Helena — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
East Helena has no short-term-rental-specific ordinance. STRs are permitted and treated as general lodging or business uses under two regulatory layers.
At the state level, Montana requires every STR operator to obtain an annual Public Accommodation License from the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and maintain a guest register (name and contact information) for at least one year. The combined state lodging tax is 8%, consisting of a 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax and a 4% Lodging Sales Tax, applicable to stays of 29 nights or fewer. Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit the state tax automatically.
At the local level, the City of East Helena requires a business license for any business operating within city limits, which includes STR operations. Properties must also comply with the municipal zoning ordinance. The state license fee is not published in available sources; operators should contact DPHHS directly for current amounts.
There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence rule, no cap on rental nights, and no resort tax (East Helena is not a designated resort community). Enforcement is rated minimal. Operators in unincorporated areas of Lewis and Clark County (outside city limits) are subject to separate county regulations, including updated Buildings for Lease or Rent regulations adopted in November 2025. Investors should confirm zoning district designation with City Hall at 406-227-5321 before listing.
Note: Montana’s 2025 legislature enacted a property-tax change that raises rates on many STRs, taxing them more like commercial property than primary residences. This may affect net returns for investment-property operators.
Market Comparison
East Helena’s $158.38 ADR is well below the national US STR median of approximately $220, reflecting its character as a small residential community rather than a destination resort market. Occupancy at 42.84% in April 2026 also trails the US median of approximately 55%, though the 2025 annual average was 49.96%. The market’s investability score of 71.24 out of 100 is above average, reflecting low regulatory barriers and accessible entry prices.
The professional management landscape is led by Evolve, which dominates with 166 listings and 7,587 reviews (4.84 rating). The next tier of operators is local and specialized: AAA Red Lodge Rentals operates 46 listings with 3,535 reviews (4.92 rating), Red Lodge Reservations holds 32 listings (4.89 rating), Alpine Basin Homes has 30 listings (4.95 rating), and Anaconda Pintler Property Services also has 30 listings (4.95 rating). The presence of Red Lodge-branded operators suggests this market data captures listings across a broader western Montana corridor. Evolve accounts for approximately 3.8% of total market supply (166 of 4,398 listings).
Frequently Asked Questions About East Helena, Montana
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