Cost of Living in Custer County, Montana
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Custer County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Custer County ranks #1,794 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 43%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Custer County, Montana
Custer: Above National Affordability Strain
Custer County renters spend 17.3% of income on rent, outpacing the national average and signaling tighter affordability than most U.S. counties. Median household income here is $63,585—about 15% below the national median of $74,755—while rents average $918 monthly. This income-to-housing ratio places Custer in the less affordable tier nationally, despite Montana's rural character.
Custer Ranks Middle of Montana Pack
At 17.3%, Custer's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Montana's state average of 15.9%, putting it among the less affordable counties statewide. Rents here run higher than the state median of $825, though median home values of $204,200 remain modest compared to mountain resort areas. Custer sits in the affordability middle ground for Montana—less pressured than western counties, more expensive than prairie neighbors.
Custer vs. Eastern Montana Peers
Custer's $918 monthly rent exceeds nearby Dawson County ($823) and Fallon County ($772), making it the pricier rental market in this eastern Montana cluster. However, Custer's median home value of $204,200 sits slightly below Dawson's $187,400 but well below Flathead's $467,700 to the west. For renters, Custer demands a noticeably larger share of paychecks than its immediate neighbors.
Where Housing Dollars Go in Custer
Renters in Custer spend $918 monthly while homeowners pay $860, a rare scenario where rent slightly exceeds mortgage costs. With median household income at $63,585 annually ($5,298 monthly), housing consumes 17.3% of renter income—above the widely recommended 15% threshold. The tight margins leave limited budget room for other essentials in this county.
Weighing Custer for Your Next Chapter
If affordability is your priority, Custer County offers lower costs than Montana's booming western counties, with homes averaging $204,200 and moderate monthly payments. Renters, however, should compare Custer's 17.3% rent burden to nearby Daniels (12.2%) or Dawson (13.9%), where housing leaves more room in monthly budgets. The county's energy-linked economy and rural lifestyle appeal to those seeking stability over rapid growth.
Cost of Living Advisory: Custer County
Affordability Verdict
For renters in Custer County, the market is affordable. Expect to pay around $918/month in gross rent, with 25.0% of renter households considered cost-burdened.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Custer County pay $918/month on average, compared to $860/month for homeowners. This market favors buyers by about 6%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $36,720/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $36,857/year. With a median household income of $63,585, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 25.0% of renter households in Custer County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Custer County sits 6% more expensive than Richland County ($866/month) in terms of median gross rent.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Custer County
Rent Burden
17.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,484
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.2%
of gross income
The median home in Custer County may be a stretch
Median home value is $204,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,630 vs. your max of $1,484.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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