Cost of Living in Prairie 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 Prairie County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Prairie County ranks #192 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 6%)
Sourced county brief
Prairie County Median Home Value Estimated at $165,700
The median home value in Prairie County was $165,700 according to the 2020-2024 American Community Survey estimates. This amount is $111,177 lower than the Montana unweighted county mean of $276,877. For households that rent, the official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was 25.4%, which is 1.3 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 24.1%. Median gross rent was $627 per month, which is below the Montana unweighted county mean of $842. Median renter-household income was $44,643. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $602, a figure lower than the state unweighted mean of $842. These housing metrics represent a historical snapshot of the county and do not include projections. 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: Prairie County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.4% of renter household income in Prairie 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 $627 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $602. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $25,080 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. Prairie County's $627 median is 25.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Prairie County
Rent Burden
14.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,196
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.1%
of gross income
The median home in Prairie County may be a stretch
Median home value is $165,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,323 vs. your max of $1,196.
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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