Location: Missoula, MT | Metro: Missoula, MT HUD Metro FMR Area
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,540 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,820 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,520 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,040 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,526 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,949 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,265 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,478 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,820 | $400,916 | 0.45% | F |
| 3BR | $2,520 | $543,466 | 0.46% | F |
| 4BR | $3,040 | $723,664 | 0.42% | F |
| 5BR | $3,526 | $877,903 | 0.4% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 59808 in Missoula, MT, has a population of 23,574, with 41.5% of residents being renters. This indicates that it is indeed a renter-heavy area, suitable for landlords and small-portfolio investors looking to attract tenants with housing vouchers. The market rent in this area is $1,526, which represents a significant portion of the median household income of $80,239. Specifically, typical rent eats up approximately 19% of the local median income.
To put this into perspective, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 59808 is set at $1,290 for FY 2024, which is lower than the market rent. This suggests that there is a considerable gap between the FMR and the actual rent prices, indicating that vouchers might be less common among the tenant pool due to the higher cost of living. However, the high percentage of renters still implies a strong demand for housing assistance programs such as Section 8.
A landlord in this area can expect a tenant profile that includes individuals and families who rely on housing vouchers to cover part or all of their rent. Given the income levels and the market rent, these tenants will likely need to supplement their voucher with additional income to meet the total rent cost. Therefore, landlords should prepare to verify both voucher eligibility and the ability of potential tenants to contribute the difference between the voucher amount and the market rent.
In summary, ZIP 59808 offers a substantial renter base with a notable demand for housing vouchers, despite the higher market rents compared to the FMR. Landlords should focus on attracting tenants who have a stable source of income to complement their housing assistance, ensuring a reliable and consistent rental income stream.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.