Cost of Living in Powell County, Montana

$770/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$255,700
Median Home Value
7% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$770/mo
7% below state average
Median Home Value
$255,700
9% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
22.0%
% 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 Powell County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Powell County$770/mo
Montana Average$825/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$770/mo
Median Gross Rent
$255,700
Median Home Value
$893/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
22.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Powell County, Montana

Powell County balances rents and ownership

Powell County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% sits comfortably below the national average and slightly below Montana's 15.9% state standard. With a median household income of $63,432 and rents of $770 monthly, Powell County offers relatively balanced housing affordability compared to national patterns.

Solid middle ground in Montana's housing market

Powell County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio runs 1.3 percentage points below Montana's state average of 15.9%, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. The median rent of $770 sits just below the state median of $825, delivering consistent value.

Competitive pricing between renters and owners

Powell County's median rent of $770 runs slightly higher than Petroleum County ($769) and Phillips County ($623) but substantially lower than Park County ($927). However, Powell's median home value of $255,700 exceeds all neighbors except Park County, creating a trade-off between rental and ownership affordability.

Homeownership carries steeper cost here

Renters in Powell County pay $770 monthly (14.6% of median household income of $63,432), while homeowners spend $893 monthly (16.9% of income). This county uniquely burdens homeowners more than renters—a pattern suggesting that owning here requires financial commitment despite moderate median home values of $255,700.

Powell County favors renters over buyers

Powell County presents an unusual advantage for renters, with a 14.6% housing burden that undercuts Montana's average, while homeownership at $893 monthly consumes nearly 17% of income. If renting appeals, Powell offers solid value; buyers should budget carefully against the county's $255,700 median home values.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Powell County

$

Rent Burden

14.6%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,480

per month

Owner Cost Burden

16.9%

of gross income

The median home in Powell County may be a stretch

Median home value is $255,700. Estimated monthly cost: $2,041 vs. your max of $1,480.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio14.6%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Powell County, Montana?
Powell County, Montana has a median monthly rent of $770/mo and a median home value of $255,700. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 22.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Powell County?
The median gross rent in Powell County is $770/mo. This is 7% below state average for Montana.
Is Powell County affordable?
Powell County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 22.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Powell County's rent compare to the state average?
Powell County's median rent of $770/mo is 7% below state average of $825/mo for Montana.
What is the median home value in Powell County?
The median home value in Powell County, Montana is $255,700. This is 9% 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.