Montana households earn a median $72,509 a year and pay a median $1,081 in rent, according to the Census Bureau. Before borrowing, confirm the lender's state license, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and walk away from any upfront fee.
On this page
- Montana by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Montana borrowers
- Largest places in Montana
- The next 20 places in Montana
- Counties with the most residents
- How Montana earns a living
- More context for Montana budgets
- Checking a lender in Montana
- Can Montana residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Montana
- Frequently asked questions
Montana by the numbers
The table compares Montana with the United States on sixteen measures that shape household budgets, and ranks it against the other states and the District of Columbia. All figures are American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates.
| What we measured | Montana | United States | Rank of 51 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,509 | $80,734 | 37th |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree | 35% | 36% | 24th |
| Age, median | 40.4 | 38.9 | 12th |
| Gini index (inequality) | 0.465 | 0.483 | 29th |
| Share of households under $35,000 | 23% | 21% | 16th |
| Share of households at $100,000+ | 35% | 41% | 38th |
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | 12.5% | 28th |
| Unemployment rate (ACS) | 3.6% | 5.2% | 43rd |
| Median gross rent per month | $1,081 | $1,413 | 34th |
| Rent-burdened renters (30%+) | 45% | 51% | 44th |
| Home value, median | $375,800 | $332,700 | 18th |
| Homes owner-occupied | 69% | 65% | 18th |
| Cost-burdened owners with a mortgage | 30% | 28% | 13th |
| Home value to income ratio | 5.2x | 4.1x | 10th |
| Commutes of 45 minutes or longer | 8% | 17% | 47th |
| Workers who work from home | 13% | 15% | 32nd |
What the numbers mean for Montana borrowers
In Montana, 13% of workers work from home and 8% spend 45 minutes or more getting to work, compared with 15% and 17% nationally. Fuel, tires and insurance belong in the budget before you size any loan payment.
Over 2020 to 2024, 3.6% of the Montana labor force was unemployed on average in the ACS, against 5.2% nationally; the poverty rate was 11.5%. Five-year estimates smooth out booms and slumps, so they describe the economy's shape more than its current mood.
Rent is a pressure point for 45% of Montana renter households, who spend 30 percent or more of income on it (U.S.: 51%). Median gross rent is $1,081 a month, 34th highest among the 51. Size any payment to the month after rent is paid, not to your gross income.
Ranked by median household income, Montana comes in 37th with $72,509, 10% below the country's $80,734. Income is the first thing a lender verifies, so have recent pay stubs or tax returns ready before you compare offers.
Largest places in Montana
These 12 places hold the biggest populations in Montana. Income, rent and home values come from the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey.
| Community | County | Residents | Median income | Median gross rent | Typical home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | Yellowstone County | 119,434 | $73,712 | $1,138 | $343,400 |
| Missoula | Missoula County | 76,514 | $70,392 | $1,189 | $473,100 |
| Great Falls | Cascade County | 60,329 | $63,373 | $900 | $257,000 |
| Bozeman | Gallatin County | 56,114 | $85,747 | $1,717 | $687,900 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | Silver Bow County | 35,052 | $61,857 | $856 | $257,800 |
| Helena | Lewis and Clark County | 33,639 | $71,036 | $1,092 | $387,300 |
| Kalispell | Flathead County | 28,504 | $63,415 | $1,078 | $428,000 |
| Belgrade | Gallatin County | 11,872 | $97,328 | $1,877 | $535,200 |
| Evergreen | Flathead County | 9,611 | $76,446 | $1,166 | $340,800 |
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | Deer Lodge County | 9,597 | $57,527 | $696 | $231,700 |
| Havre | Hill County | 9,258 | $50,329 | $844 | $211,700 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | Lewis and Clark County | 9,108 | $74,075 | $1,106 | $331,500 |
Size first: 4 Montana places pass 50,000 residents and 8 pass 10,000. Income next: among those over 20,000, Butte-Silver Bow sits lowest at $61,857 and Bozeman highest at $85,747. Rents differ just as much, from a median $856 a month in Butte-Silver Bow to $1,717 in Bozeman.
The next 20 places in Montana
20 more Montana places, largest first.
| Place | Residents | Median household income | Rent (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston | 8,780 | $65,861 | $1,046 |
| Whitefish | 8,749 | $73,811 | $1,354 |
| Miles City | 8,407 | $67,727 | $926 |
| Helena Valley West Central | 8,056 | $90,082 | $1,327 |
| Laurel | 7,215 | $68,474 | $974 |
| Lockwood | 7,181 | $75,700 | $1,138 |
| Sidney | 6,171 | $62,538 | $931 |
| Lewistown | 6,087 | $48,750 | $1,007 |
| Four Corners | 5,791 | $100,917 | $1,338 |
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | $1,016 |
| Orchard Homes | 5,588 | $64,904 | $1,000 |
| Bigfork | 5,565 | $85,307 | $1,016 |
| Polson | 5,428 | $53,418 | $912 |
| Helena Valley Northwest | 5,183 | $100,605 | $1,603 |
| Hamilton | 5,101 | $49,204 | $947 |
| Glendive | 4,810 | $72,670 | $842 |
| Helena Valley Northeast | 4,659 | $140,517 | n/a |
| Lolo | 4,314 | $86,065 | $1,139 |
| Malmstrom AFB | 4,302 | $64,833 | $1,220 |
| Dillon | 4,085 | $61,134 | $864 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Lewistown (25%) and least in Glendive (14%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
The largest 16 of Montana's 56 counties, by population.
| County | Population | Median income | Median gross rent | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone County | 168,957 | $76,570 | $1,131 | $349,500 |
| Gallatin County | 124,074 | $93,528 | $1,694 | $667,600 |
| Missoula County | 120,672 | $75,598 | $1,190 | $472,100 |
| Flathead County | 110,695 | $73,925 | $1,142 | $535,500 |
| Cascade County | 84,606 | $67,690 | $939 | $265,300 |
| Lewis and Clark County | 73,464 | $78,237 | $1,102 | $393,500 |
| Ravalli County | 46,727 | $71,283 | $1,054 | $476,600 |
| Silver Bow County | 35,785 | $61,754 | $863 | $255,200 |
| Lake County | 32,561 | $63,360 | $901 | $421,800 |
| Lincoln County | 21,175 | $47,143 | $762 | $296,500 |
| Park County | 17,710 | $70,047 | $976 | $467,500 |
| Hill County | 16,155 | $52,798 | $776 | $202,600 |
| Glacier County | 13,637 | $46,875 | $548 | $165,100 |
| Sanders County | 13,285 | $57,476 | $820 | $359,000 |
| Big Horn County | 12,891 | $58,750 | $697 | $143,400 |
| Jefferson County | 12,774 | $95,490 | $925 | $446,900 |
The county income gap: $95,490 at the top in Jefferson County, $46,875 at the bottom in Glacier County. Check the row for your own county before you decide what payment is comfortable.
How Montana earns a living
Four industries employ the largest shares of working Montana residents; the national shares are shown for comparison.
| Industry | Share of Montana workers | National share | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, health care and social assistance | 23% | 24% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12% | 11% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, entertainment, lodging and food service | 10% | 9% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 10% | 13% | -2.8 pts |
Montana's signature sector, measured against the U.S., is agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining at 6% of employed residents. Pay rhythm differs by industry. Shift and seasonal work swings month to month, so size a payment to your slowest normal month.
More context for Montana budgets
Homeownership stands at 69% in Montana and the median owner-occupied home is worth $375,800, which ranks 18th among the 51 jurisdictions. 30% of mortgaged owners are housing-cost burdened, versus 28% nationally.
In Montana, 35% of households report $100,000 or more in income and 23% report under $35,000, against 41% and 21% for the country. A wide spread like this is why one-size borrowing advice fails; size the loan to your own pay, not to the state's.
Montana's Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (U.S.: 0.483; higher means more unequal), 35% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree, and the median resident is 40.4 years old.
Checking a lender in Montana
Before you share details with any lender, confirm it may lend in Montana. The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions is the state banking agency listed in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors directory.
- Complaints can go to the state agency and to the CFPB.
- NMLS Consumer Access shows many lenders' licenses state by state.
- Never pay a fee before the money arrives; the FTC calls that an advance-fee loan scam.
Can Montana residents use the questionnaire?
You can start it, and the location step is where you find out: if partners are not yet taking Montana requests, you will see a short email waitlist and nothing more is asked.
Local guides in Montana
No Montana city has its own guide yet, but the city search covers every Census place in the state and sends you to the closest page we have.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a lender in Montana?
Start with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, Montana's banking agency in the CSBS directory. You can also search a lender on NMLS Consumer Access and file complaints with the CFPB.
What do households in Montana earn?
About $72,509. Half of Montana households earn more and half less; nationally the midpoint is $80,734.
How much do Montana renters pay?
The typical renter pays $1,081; the U.S. median is $1,413. In Montana, 45% of renting households spend 30 percent or more of income on housing.
Do home values in Montana change how I should borrow?
The median home in Montana is valued at $375,800, about 5.2 times the median household income of $72,509. Where housing takes a big share of income, keep new payments modest and compare total cost rather than stretching the term.