Real Estate Investing in East Helena, Montana (59635)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Lewis and Clark County • Population: 8,382 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59635 (East Helena, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in East Helena, MT (59635)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $438,326
Avg Monthly Rent $1,461
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,295
% Renters 14.8%

Market Analysis: 59635 East Helena

Investors eyeing 59635 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $438K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 59635 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader MT picture, 59635 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 59635 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than East Helena averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 59635 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in East Helena:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,461/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Helena, MT Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Helena, MT metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 59635

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$110,633/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $330,890 $1,550 3.4% +9.1% $165,445
3BR $423,838 $2,100 3.6% +8.2% $141,279
4BR $458,643 $2,360 3.7% +8.1% $114,661
5BR $553,167 +8.5% $110,633

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$460K$398K$336K$274K$212K$150KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,472$1,440$1,408$1,376$1,344$1,311May 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59635 Compare?

Metric 59635 East Helena Helena, MT Montana
Home Value $438,326 $438,326 N/A $457,278
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% N/A 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,461 $1,461 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 59635? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59635 (East Helena, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Helena, MT metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $438,326
Monthly Rent $1,461
Price-to-Rent 25.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
2.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59635

Population: 8,382

💰 Median Household Income
$69,295
This area
$69,295
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.8%
This area
14.8%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.2 years
This area
44.2 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.3%
Other/Mixed 4.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
Black/African American 0.7%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 59635

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
16.7:1 Avg Class Size
$12,652 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Eastgate School

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
149 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,652 Per Student
B Good

Prickly Pear Elem

📚 01 – 02 Elementary
👥
285 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,652 Per Student
B Good

East Helena High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
582 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,652 Per Student
B Good

East Valley Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
478 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,652 Per Student
B Good

Radley Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
421 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,652 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby 816 Off-Campus Students
C
Helena College University of Montana
1,485 students · 9.8 mi
C+
Carroll College
1,103 students · 11.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 816 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strict are landlord regulations in East Helena, MT?

For rental operators, East Helena, MT rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How does East Helena, MT stack up for property investment?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in East Helena, MT reflects its $438K prices and $1,461/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MT.

How expensive is real estate in East Helena, MT?

Homes in East Helena, MT typically sell near $438K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which stable long-term demand.

Is house hacking profitable in East Helena, MT?

For house hackers, East Helena, MT is a challenging. The $1,461/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $438K property.

How strong is tenant demand in East Helena, MT?

Expect a solid tenant pool in East Helena, MT. The rental market absorbs $1,461/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 59635 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 59635 ranks in Helena, MT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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