Cost of Living Comparison Between Helena, MT and Palmer, AK Cost of Living Comparison Between Helena, MT and Palmer, AK

😐 Solo nomad: Helena, MT is 27.2% more expensive than Palmer, AK without rent, and 14.8% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Helena, MT is 3.6% more expensive than Palmer, AK without rent, and 14.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.76 $19.76
$21.83 $21.83
-9.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.3 $89.3
$74.3 $74.3
20.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.42 $13.42
$12.88 $12.88
4.19%
Cappuccino
$5.16 $5.16
$5.35 $5.35
-3.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.65 $2.65
-13.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.97 $1.97
-12.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.85 $4.85
$7.08 $7.08
-31.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.59 $6.59
$7.71 $7.71
-14.53%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.11 $1.11
6.31%
White Bread (500g)
$4.45 $4.45
$3.99 $3.99
11.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.64 $3.64
$4.51 $4.51
-19.29%
Eggs
$4.3 $4.3
$3.41 $3.41
26.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$31.15 $31.15
$12.35 $12.35
152.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.59 $9.59
$12.98 $12.98
-26.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.71 $19.71
$20.35 $20.35
-3.14%
Apples (1kg)
$4.7 $4.7
$7.61 $7.61
-38.24%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.97 $1.97
-11.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.63 $4.63
$8.16 $8.16
-43.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.54 $5.54
$7.14 $7.14
-22.41%
Potato (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.34 $2.34
-8.55%
Onion (1kg)
$1.88 $1.88
$2.94 $2.94
-36.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.67 $2.67
-35.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.23 $2.23
0.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.99 $9.99
$11.61 $11.61
-13.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.09 $13.09
$15.82 $15.82
-17.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.78 $1.78
-3.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59 $2.59
$3.81 $3.81
-32.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.41 $3.41
$0.97 $0.97
251.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.1 $59.1
$29.48 $29.48
100.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.91 $9.91
$2.77 $2.77
257.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.45 $3.45
$1.73 $1.73
99.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$45.6 $45.6
$37.92 $37.92
20.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1 $1
-16.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.2K $36.2K
$22.7K $22.7K
59.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8K $30.8K
$25.9K $25.9K
18.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$366 $366
$288 $288
27.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$76.6 $76.6
$52.5 $52.5
46.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$91.7 $91.7
$131 $131
-29.94%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.87 $49.87
$87.8 $87.8
-43.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.92 $14.92
$9.97 $9.97
49.65%
Cinema Ticket
$10.62 $10.62
$9.89 $9.89
7.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,924 $1,924
$961 $961
100.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$10.4K $10.4K
117.43%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7 $59.7
$48.82 $48.82
22.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$119 $119
$44.81 $44.81
166.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.8 $88.8
$102 $102
-13.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$106 $106
8.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,644 $1,644
$1,276 $1,276
28.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,404 $1,404
$1,122 $1,122
25.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,615 $2,615
$2,146 $2,146
21.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,209 $2,209
$1,752 $1,752
26.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,798 $6,798
$2,164 $2,164
214.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,638 $5,638
$2,043 $2,043
176.01%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Helena, MT
Palmer, AK
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,879 $6,879
$4,825 $4,825
42.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.71
4.65
44.30%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Helena, MT: October 28, 2025

Last update for Palmer, AK: October 27, 2025

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