Cost of Living in Cascade County, Montana
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Cascade County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Cascade County ranks #2,145 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 32%)
Sourced county brief
Cascade County Renter Median Income and Housing Cost Figures
The median renter-household income in Cascade County was $42,381. The official gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was estimated at 27.3%, which is 3.2 percentage points above the unweighted state county mean of 24.1%. Median gross rent was $939 per month, which is $97 higher than the Montana unweighted county mean of $842. The median selected monthly owner cost for owner-occupied units was $1,064, compared to the unweighted state mean of $842. The median home value in the county was $265,300, while the unweighted county mean for the state was $276,877. These statistics are based on the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. The rent-to-income percentage is the official ACS B25071 GRAPI estimate, not a derived calculation. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Cascade County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.3% of renter household income in Cascade County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $939 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,064. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $37,560 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Montana unweighted mean of county median rents is $842 per month. Cascade County's $939 median is 11.5% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Cascade County
Rent Burden
16.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,579
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.9%
of gross income
The median home in Cascade County may be a stretch
Median home value is $265,300. Estimated monthly cost: $2,118 vs. your max of $1,579.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Cascade County, Montana?
What is the median rent in Cascade County?
Is Cascade County affordable?
How does Cascade County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Cascade County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Cascade County, Montana? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Cascade County
Whether you're buying in Cascade County, Montana, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.