The Average Home in Montana Costs How Much?!

The fact we even have a term, “Cost of Living” drives me nuts.  

Just to be an Earthling, on a planet floating in the middle of space,  it costs you X number of dollars to just live. It’s kind of gross when you think hard about it. But it’s also quite subjective.  

I know a couple of people who are forever Nomads.  

They have a tent, and a car, and they go out into the wilderness and thrive that way. They don’t want to be a part of society in the same way as you and I reading this. I’d like to imagine that I can handle the lifestyle of being a nomad in the wild. But I like my clothes and shoes... Sue me. I also love a home base. Most humans do.  

It's no secret Montanans want to buy a house as an investment.  

But more and more Montanans are choosing to rent their home. Some Americans simply don’t make enough money to buy a home in our lovely country. The housing market in most states is pretty outrageous. My mom sold her home in Westminster, Colorado for close to $700,000 and it’s a 2-bedroom, 2-bath home. WILD!  

Housing statistics  

According to the U.S. Census survey, they found "an estimated 43,378,800 renter-occupied homes in the United States as of 2017, which makes up 36.1% of all households in the country. In 2019, pre-pandemic, renting a house was more affordable than buying a home. In 2021, the opposite was true: Owning was more affordable than renting in 63% of U.S. counties." The pandemic royally messed the housing market up. 

Facts about Montana Home Owners  

Number of Montanans vs the Median Cost of Home  

2,796    Less than $50,000  

5,955      $50,000 to $99,999 

25,166   $500,000 to $749,999  

10,151    $750,000 to $999,999  

7,896      $1,000,000 or more  

 Median Cost of a home in Montana: $349,300 

I remember in the early 2000’s a home for around $400,000 was at least 3,000 sq. ft. Today, the average home is around 1,200 sq. ft. for the same price. OUCH!  Half the room, and double the price.