Location: Hill County, MT | Metro: Chouteau County, MT
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,140 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,210 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,500 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,070 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,210 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,564 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,872 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,102 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,257 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The analysis of ZIP code 59521 in Hill County, Montana reveals several critical factors that would influence a landlord's decision to invest in this area.
The rent math does not work in favor of landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,440, while the actual market rent based on Census ACS data is only $406. This significant disparity means that landlords would be unable to charge rents that match the FMR, resulting in lower revenue potential compared to what is deemed fair by HUD standards.
Regarding property acquisition, the data suggests that the market is not favorable for buying properties at affordable prices. With a median home value listed as N/A, days on market (DOM) also noted as N/A, and an N/A percentage of homes needing price cuts, it's evident that there is insufficient data to determine if the acquisition costs are reasonable. Landlords looking to purchase properties in this ZIP code should proceed with caution until more detailed market data is available.
Tenant demand in ZIP 59521 is strong. With a population of 3,529 and a 62.6% renter share, there are approximately 2,207 renters in the area. This indicates a robust pool of potential tenants who are actively seeking rental properties, which could support a healthy occupancy rate for landlords willing to invest in this ZIP code despite the challenges.
Verdict: Investment in ZIP 59521 is not advisable due to the unfavorable rent math and lack of clear data on property acquisition affordability. While tenant demand is present, the discrepancy between the FMR and the actual market rent suggests that landlords would struggle to achieve financially viable returns. Further investigation into local real estate trends and the availability of Section 8 vouchers is recommended before making any investment decisions.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.