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 is 43%. average monthly revenue is $1,788. average daily rate is $158. the top operator is Evolve with 166 listings. market score is 53/100 (grade D).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex 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 | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38% | $151 | $1,649 |
| Feb | 46% | $157 | $1,747 |
| Mar | 46% | $156 | $1,921 |
| Apr | 43% | $138 | $1,570 |
| May | 52% | $151 | $1,805 |
| Jun | 64% | $192 | $2,889 |
| Jul | 66% | $201 | $3,575 |
| Aug | 59% | $190 | $3,104 |
| Sep | 52% | $172 | $2,422 |
| Oct | 45% | $148 | $1,904 |
| Nov | 47% | $144 | $1,757 |
| Dec | 43% | $163 | $1,836 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in East Helena
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | 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 pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,520 |
| 2 bed | 1,253 |
| 3 bed | 956 |
| 4 bed | 420 |
| 5 bed | 235 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $163 |
| Luxury | $340 |
| Professionally Managed | $183 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,550 |
| Entire Place | $1,827 |
| House | $1,884 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 48.2% |
| vrbo | 10.4% |
| both | 41.4% |
Investment Analysis
East Helena is a lower-entry-cost market relative to most Montana resort destinations. The typical home value is $438,803 (Zillow, April 2026), with a median list price of $494,075. At the April 2026 average monthly revenue of $1,788, annualized gross revenue projects to approximately $21,456, implying a gross yield of roughly 4.9% on the typical home value before expenses, taxes, and vacancies.
The tier spread is moderate. Entire-home listings generated $1,827 in monthly revenue versus $1,884 for houses specifically. The luxury tier ADR of $339.57 is 2.14x the all-listings average of $158.38. Professionally managed listings averaged $182.75 in ADR, above the all-listings average, suggesting managed properties here tend to be larger or better positioned. Apartments generate $1,550 per month versus $1,884 for houses, a $334 difference.
Annual average revenue for 2025 was $2,514 per month versus $2,495 in 2024, a modest 0.8% gain. Year-over-year ADR has grown steadily from $139 in 2019 to $183 in 2025. The market shows consistent but not aggressive growth. East Helena’s investability score of 71.24 out of 100 reflects favorable conditions relative to its market size, with low regulatory barriers contributing to accessibility for new operators.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
East Helena guests book an average of 37.90 days (approximately 5.4 weeks) in advance and stay an average of 4.38 nights per booking. The 38-day lead time is moderate, consistent with a market where booking patterns reflect a mix of government business travel to Helena, leisure visitors to Canyon Ferry Lake, and travelers exploring the greater Helena area.
The 4.38-night average stay is above a standard weekend booking, suggesting guests typically extend beyond a two-night trip, possibly combining a Helena business trip with recreational time. Operators serving both business and leisure segments can benefit by setting flexible minimum stays of 2-3 nights year-round rather than imposing week-long minimums that may deter business travelers. Peak summer months (June-August) can support 4-7 night minimums to reduce turnover costs during high-demand periods.
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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