Cost of Living in Chouteau County, Montana

$485/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$185,100
Median Home Value
41% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$485/mo
41% below state average
Median Home Value
$185,100
34% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
16.0%
% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating
Unaffordable
Rent over 50% of income

How Chouteau County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Chouteau County$485/mo
Montana Average$825/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$485/mo
Median Gross Rent
$185,100
Median Home Value
$608/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
16.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Chouteau County, Montana

Chouteau County offers exceptional housing value

Chouteau County's 10.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, as renters earning $56,927 pay just $485/month for housing. This exceptional affordability reflects genuinely low rents paired with moderate local incomes.

Chouteau leads Montana by significant margin

At 10.2%, Chouteau's rent-to-income ratio crushes Montana's state average of 15.9%, making it the state's clear affordability champion. The county's $485 median rent is the lowest in the entire eight-county comparison.

Chouteau rents unbeatable in region

Chouteau's $485 median rent is nearly $200/month below Big Horn ($686) and Blaine ($689), and substantially undercuts every other county in this comparison. Monthly homeowner costs of $608 similarly rank among the lowest, with median home values of $185,100 offering genuine accessibility.

Housing barely dents Chouteau budgets

A Chouteau County renter earning $56,927 spends roughly $485/month on housing—just 10.2% of gross income, leaving substantial room for savings and other needs. Homeowners enjoy even more relief: at $608/month, ownership costs claim only 12.8% of median household income.

Chouteau County: Montana's affordability treasure

If housing costs are your primary concern, Chouteau County delivers unmatched value in Montana with a 10.2% rent-to-income ratio. Compare its exceptional affordability against any peer—Big Horn (14.5%), Blaine (12.7%), or Broadwater (18.4%)—to appreciate the county's genuine advantage.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Chouteau County

$

Rent Burden

10.2%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,328

per month

Owner Cost Burden

12.8%

of gross income

The median home in Chouteau County may be a stretch

Median home value is $185,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,478 vs. your max of $1,328.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio10.2%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chouteau County, Montana?
Chouteau County, Montana has a median monthly rent of $485/mo and a median home value of $185,100. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 16.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Chouteau County?
The median gross rent in Chouteau County is $485/mo. This is 41% below state average for Montana.
Is Chouteau County affordable?
Chouteau County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 16.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Chouteau County's rent compare to the state average?
Chouteau County's median rent of $485/mo is 41% below state average of $825/mo for Montana.
What is the median home value in Chouteau County?
The median home value in Chouteau County, Montana is $185,100. This is 34% below the national median home value of $281,900.
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.