Estimate the true monthly cost of buying in Montana. The calculator is prefilled with the typical Montana home value ($472,852) and adds taxes, insurance, and PMI so the number reflects more than just principal and interest.
Prefilled with Montana's approximate effective rate (0.74%). Enter your county's figure for precision.
Extra principal each month shortens the loan and reduces total interest.
In Montana, the typical home is worth about $472,852 (Zillow ZHVI, 2026-05) — about 34% above the national typical value of $354,135, making it an above-average housing market and the 14th most expensive of 51 states and DC we track. Entry-level homes start near $283,241, while higher-budget homes reach about $808,460. Condos and co-ops are more accessible at a typical $424,293, roughly 12% less than the $475,958 typical single-family home. By size, a 2-bedroom runs about $363,702, a 3-bedroom runs about $497,938, a 4-bedroom runs about $567,164.
| Home type | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Typical home | $472,852 |
| Starter (lower-tier) | $283,241 |
| Higher-budget (upper-tier) | $808,460 |
| Single-family home | $475,958 |
| Condo / co-op | $424,293 |
| 2-bedroom | $363,702 |
| 3-bedroom | $497,938 |
| 4-bedroom | $567,164 |
Home values are measured data from Zillow Research (ZHVI), 2026-05. Click a price chip in the calculator to load one instantly.
Estimated full monthly payment (principal, interest, Montana property tax at 0.74%, insurance and PMI) at 6.5% over 30 years. PMI applies under 20% down. These payment figures are calculated assumptions, not measured data.
| Home price | 5% down | 10% down | 20% down |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter $283,241 | $2,070 | $1,975 | $1,689 |
| Typical $472,852 | $3,456 | $3,297 | $2,821 |
| Higher-budget $808,460 | $5,909 | $5,637 | $4,822 |
A planning guideline only — not a pre-qualification. Lenders consider credit, debts, and other factors.
Owning a typical Montana home costs an estimated $2,821/mo with 20% down (principal, interest, taxes and insurance), plus upfront cash — the down payment and roughly 3% in closing costs. A fair rent-vs-buy comparison weighs that against local rent and also accounts for maintenance, how long you'll stay, the opportunity cost of your down payment, expected home-price appreciation, and the transaction costs on both sides.
Use the calculator above to plan the buying side, then compare it against rents you're seeing locally.
Where the home values come from. The prices on this page — typical, starter, higher-budget, single-family, condo and by-bedroom — are measured data from Zillow Research Home Value Index (ZHVI), a smoothed, seasonally adjusted estimate of typical values. We use the latest available month (2026-05): the middle price tier for "typical," the lower tier for "starter," and the upper tier for "higher-budget."
Where the payments come from. Monthly payments are calculated by this tool with a standard fixed-rate formula and editable assumptions: 6.5% rate, 30-year term, Montana property tax of 0.74%, 0.35% insurance, and 0.5% PMI when down payment is under 20%. They are estimates, not quotes. See the full methodology.
As of 2026-05, the typical home value in Montana is about $472,852, based on Zillow Research (ZHVI) data — about 34% above the national typical value of $354,135. Starter homes are around $283,241 and higher-budget homes around $808,460.
Using a typical $472,852 home, 20% down, Montana's property-tax assumption of 0.74%, and a 28% housing-cost-to-income guideline, you'd want roughly $120,900 in annual household income. This is a planning estimate, not a lending decision — lenders weigh credit, debts and other factors.
With 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years, principal and interest on a $472,852 home is about $2,391. Adding estimated Montana taxes, insurance and (under 20% down) PMI brings the full payment to roughly $2,821 — use the calculator above to fine-tune it.
The calculator prefills Montana with an approximate effective property-tax rate of 0.74% of home value per year, plus a 0.35% insurance assumption. Rates vary widely by county and city, so entering your own annual dollar amounts gives the most accurate result.
They reflect the latest available Zillow ZHVI month (2026-05) and are smoothed, seasonally adjusted estimates. They may not match a specific listing, appraisal or lender valuation.