Helena, Montana Short-Term Rental Market
Montana Rockies STRs near Helena averaged $218 a night at 56.9% occupancy, earning $3,539 monthly in August 2026.
Quick Answer: Helena, Montana is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Montana Area market area is 54%. average monthly revenue in the Montana Area market area is $2,981. average daily rate in the Montana Area market area is $204. 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 Helena. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Helena.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Airbnb and Vrbo performance data for Helena is reported for a shared cluster of six Montana towns: Helena, East Helena, Red Lodge, Silver Star, Stevensville, and Townsend. This profile calls that group the Montana Rockies STR market. Every performance figure below describes that regional market, not Helena city limits alone. In August 2026 the Montana Rockies market averaged a daily rate of $218 at 56.9% occupancy. Average monthly revenue per listing was $3,539. Against August 2025, occupancy was down 1.9%, daily rate was up 1.4%, and revenue was down 0.8%. Property type matters for revenue. Entire-place rentals averaged $3,644 in August, houses averaged $3,919, and apartments averaged $2,512. Helena is the state capital of Montana, with 33,639 residents. Demand comes from state government travel and from history visitors to the Last Chance Gulch historic district and the Montana State Capitol. Outdoor visitors use Helena as a base for Mount Helena City Park and Great Divide Ski Area, 23 miles away. Road trippers also stop in Helena between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. The International Mountain Bike Association named Helena a Silver-level Ride Center. Listing counts, bedroom mix, channel mix, and top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Helena, so this profile omits them. Annual average occupancy reached 59.0% in 2021 and has stayed near 50% since 2023.
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 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 Helena, so these counts are not 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 Helena?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for 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 (Helena)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for 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 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
Helena does not require a city-specific short-term rental permit or license. Zoning is the main local control, and the rules vary by zone. STRs are allowed in B2, B2M, B3, and UMU zones without classification limits. In R1 and RS residential zones, only Type 1 rentals are permitted, meaning the owner lives there and is present. In R2 and HMU zones, owners may rent their primary residence while absent for up to 6 months per year. Hosts need a Montana Public Accommodation License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The application fee is $40, with annual renewal. Hosts must collect Montana’s 8% lodging tax on stays under 30 days. That is made up of a 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax and a 4% Lodging Sales Tax. Helena adds no separate local lodging tax. The city sets no cap on nights per year and no city occupancy cap. Hosts must follow general city rules on noise, parking, and nuisance. Enforcement is rated low and is complaint-driven. Hosts in surrounding Lewis and Clark County jurisdictions face different rules. Confirm any business license requirement with Helena’s Community Development office before you operate. This profile lists no recent rule changes and was last updated May 23, 2026.
Market Comparison
The US reference points used here are about 55% occupancy and a $220 daily rate. In August 2026 the Montana Rockies market ran at 56.9% occupancy, 1.9 points above that reference. Its $218 daily rate sits about $2 below it. Annual averages are weaker than the August snapshot. The 2025 annual average was 49.9% occupancy and a $183 daily rate, so the market runs below national norms for most of the year and above them in summer. Occupancy peaked at a 59.0% annual average in 2021. Daily rate has risen from $145 in 2018 to $183 in 2025. Operator data for Helena is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for the city, so this profile omits top operators and market share. Investors should treat Helena as a seasonal market with light regulation and strong summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Helena, Montana
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