Cost of Living in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lincoln County ranks #623 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 20%)
Sourced county brief
Lincoln County Renter Median Income Estimated at $29,317
Renter-household median income in Lincoln County was estimated at $29,317. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.5%, which is 4.4 percentage points higher than the Montana unweighted county mean of 24.1%. The median gross rent in the county was $762 per month, while the state unweighted county mean was $842. For those in owner-occupied housing, the median selected monthly owner cost was $662, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $842. The median home value in Lincoln County was estimated at $296,500, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $276,877. 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: Lincoln County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.5% of renter household income in Lincoln 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 $762 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $662. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,480 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. Lincoln County's $762 median is 9.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lincoln County
Rent Burden
19.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,100
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.9%
of gross income
The median home in Lincoln County may be a stretch
Median home value is $296,500. Estimated monthly cost: $2,367 vs. your max of $1,100.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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