Location: Flathead County, MT | Metro: Flathead County, MT
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 | $1,150 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,170 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,530 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,010 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,560 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,970 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,326 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,592 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,772 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,530 | $625,094 | 0.24% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 59928, located within Flathead County, MT, has a Federal Market Rent (FMR) of $1,480 for fiscal year 2026. This figure is higher than the average FMRs across Flathead County, which range from $710 to $1,140 for studios and from $760 to $1,180 for one-bedroom units. For two-bedroom units, the FMRs in Flathead County range from $980 to $1,550, while 59928's FMR is $1,480. These data points suggest that 59928 is positioned as a premium sub-market within the county.
The home value in ZIP 59928 is notably high at $572,271, indicating a more affluent residential area. Given the higher FMR and home values, it's clear that 59928 is not a value pocket but rather a premium sub-market within the Flathead County metro area.
The renter share in 59928 is 13.0%, which is a moderate percentage. While this alone does not indicate a sweet spot for Section 8 participants, the combination of higher home values and moderate renter share suggests that 59928 is primarily a homeowner-oriented area with some rental presence, but not a significant one compared to other ZIP codes with lower home values and higher renter shares.
In summary, ZIP 59928 is best classified as a premium sub-market within Flathead County, characterized by higher home values and FMRs. There is no strong indication that it serves as a Section 8 sweet spot due to the lack of significant divergence between its high home values and moderate renter share.
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.