Cost of Living in Powder River County, Montana
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Powder River County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Powder River County ranks #147 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 5%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Powder River County, Montana
Powder River County: rentability champion
Powder River County's rent-to-income ratio of just 10.8% ranks among the nation's most affordable and beats Montana's state average by 5.1 percentage points. At $609 monthly, rents consume the smallest share of income across this entire analysis—a genuine outlier for housing accessibility.
Montana's most affordable rental market
Powder River County's 10.8% rent-to-income ratio sits nearly 5 percentage points below Montana's 15.9% state average, making it the state's most affordable county by this metric. The median rent of $609 represents a 26% discount to the state median of $825, delivering exceptional rental value.
Lowest rents paired with strong income
Powder River County's $609 median rent is the cheapest in the regional cluster, $14 below Phillips County ($623), $160 below Petroleum County ($769), and $318 below Musselshell County ($865). Combined with the highest median household income of $68,009 among its neighbors, Powder River achieves superior affordability through both low costs and higher pay.
Renters enjoy exceptional value here
Renters pay just $609 monthly (10.8% of median household income of $68,009), while homeowners spend $713 monthly (12.6% of income). Powder River County reverses typical patterns: homeownership carries slightly higher burden than renting, yet both remain exceptionally affordable.
Powder River County: top choice for renters
If affordable housing is your goal, Powder River County delivers unmatched rental value at $609 monthly and 10.8% of income—the lowest burden in this entire analysis. The combination of low rents and the region's highest median income ($68,009) makes this county the standout choice for financial-conscious relocators.
Cost of Living Advisory: Powder River County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Powder River County is affordable. The median rent is $609/month against a median household income of $68,009, putting rent at 10.7% of income.
Rent vs. Own
At $609/month rent versus $713/month in owner costs, renting is roughly $104/month cheaper — a 15% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $24,360/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $30,557/year. With a median household income of $68,009, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 16.0% of renter households in Powder River County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Deer Lodge County where rent averages $661/month, Powder River County is approximately 8% less expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Powder River County
Rent Burden
10.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,587
per month
Owner Cost Burden
12.6%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Powder River County
Median home value is $149,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,193 vs. your max of $1,587.
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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