Cost of living in Helena ? (Billings, Missoula: sales, apartments, sales tax)

[Degra]

What is the cost of living in Helena ? Like with a 600 dollar apartment, and no car payment and such. Im talking bare minimum. Also, what kind of taxes are there? There no sales tax, right ?

[MTSilvertip]

Not aware of any $600 apartments right off the bat, but there is no sales tax.
Fuel is running about $3.46-$3.49 per gallon right now.
Food can be pretty reasonable if you shop sales as we have several good grocerie stores around, and of course Wal-mart.

Not sure what kind of standard you are using, but Helena is a little more expensive to live in than say Butte or Billings, not as expensive as Bozeman or Missoula, probably pretty close to the same as Great Falls.

Lots of folks here have 2 low paying jobs to make ends meet, but that is the same all across Montana.
Do you have a job lined up? Do you know anybody here? This can be a lonely place in the winter when you have to get to work at 7 AM and it is -35 and your car won't start.

There is a bus system, sort of, mostly they just drive around town aimlessly without a decernable schedule.

I have lived in Helena for 20 years now. If you have specific questions I may be able to help.
Good Luck.

[Degra]

Well i was also looking at Butte and other surrounding towns, I was just looking for a place to start off. not to necessarily settle down for good. And I heard that Billings was the best, but I want to stay close to the mountains.

[happiness is]

Butte is the most economically depressed town. Helena would be a better choice between the two for finding a job.

[Degra]

Thank you. I think im going to be checking out both.