Cost of Living in Lewis and Clark County, Montana

$1,062/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$358,200

Median Home Value

29% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,062/mo

29% above state average

Median Home Value

$358,200

27% above national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

26.0%

% 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 Lewis and Clark County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Lewis and Clark County$1,062/mo

Montana Average$825/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,062/mo

Median Gross Rent

$358,200

Median Home Value

$1,352/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

26.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Lewis and Clark rents strain local budgets

Renters here spend 17.1% of household income on rent, exceeding the national standard of 15%. The median rent of $1,062 per month is 29% higher than Montana's state average of $825, putting downward pressure on renters earning the national median income of $74,755.

Among Montana's most expensive rentals

Lewis and Clark ranks in the upper tier for rental costs across Montana's 56 counties. At 17.1%, the rent-to-income ratio sits 1.2 percentage points above the state average of 15.9%, signaling affordability challenges that persist even in a county with above-average incomes.

Costlier than much of central Montana

Rents here exceed nearby Madison County ($1,159) only slightly, but significantly outpace McCone County ($543) and Liberty County ($668). The $1,062 median rent reflects Lewis and Clark's role as Montana's second-largest population center and state capital.

Housing absorbs significant income share

With a median household income of $74,543, renters dedicate roughly $12,750 annually to rent, while homeowners pay approximately $16,224 yearly for mortgage costs. Combined rental and ownership expenses reveal that housing remains the largest budget line item for most local households.

Compare before relocating to Helena area

If you're considering moving to Lewis and Clark for work or lifestyle, compare your income against the 17.1% rent-to-income benchmark. Nearby McCone County ($543 rent) and Liberty County ($668 rent) offer dramatically lower housing costs, though typically with fewer job and cultural amenities.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Lewis and Clark County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

17.1%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,739

per month

Owner Cost Burden

21.8%

of gross income

The median home in Lewis and Clark County may be a stretch

Median home value is $358,200. Estimated monthly cost: $2,860 vs. your max of $1,739.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio17.1%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lewis and Clark County, Montana?

Lewis and Clark County, Montana has a median monthly rent of $1,062/mo and a median home value of $358,200. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 26.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Lewis and Clark County?

The median gross rent in Lewis and Clark County is $1,062/mo. This is 29% above state average for Montana.

Is Lewis and Clark County affordable?

Lewis and Clark County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 26.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Lewis and Clark County's rent compare to the state average?

Lewis and Clark County's median rent of $1,062/mo is 29% above state average of $825/mo for Montana.

What is the median home value in Lewis and Clark County?

The median home value in Lewis and Clark County, Montana is $358,200. This is 27% above the national median home value of $281,900.