Illustrative validation dataAlameda County · CAMedian List$895K+1.1%|Atlanta · GAMedian List$425K+1.4%|Austin · TXAvg Price/SqFt$312+2.4%|Brooklyn · NYMedian List$925K+1.2%|Broward County · FLMedian List$398K+2.1%|Clark County · NVMedian List$415K+1.7%|Collin · TXDays on Market34-6.0%|Cook County · ILMedian List$315K+0.7%|Cuyahoga County · OHMedian List$178K+0.3%|Dallas · TXMedian List$489K+1.1%|Davidson County · TNMedian List$425K+1.6%|Denton · TXList-to-Sale98.2%+0.4%|Denver County · COMedian List$525K+0.6%|District of Columbia · DCMedian List$625K+1.1%|Duval County · FLMedian List$298K+1.4%|El Paso · TXMedian List$268K+1.6%|Fairfax County · VAMedian List$675K+1.3%|Fort Bend County · TXMedian List$398K+2.1%|Franklin County · OHMedian List$268K+1.9%|Hennepin County · MNMedian List$355K+1.0%|Hillsborough County · FLMedian List$342K+2.3%|Houston · TXAvg Price/SqFt$184-0.6%|Jackson County · MOMedian List$232K+1.3%|King County · WAMedian List$685K+1.2%|Los Angeles · CAAvg Price/SqFt$552-1.4%|Marion County · INMedian List$252K+1.4%|Mecklenburg County · NCMedian List$368K+2.2%|Miami · FLMedian List$425K+2.8%|Milwaukee County · WIMedian List$225K+0.7%|Multnomah County · ORMedian List$455K-0.7%|New York County · NYMedian List$1.65M+0.6%|Orange County · CAMedian List$785K+0.8%|Orange County · Orlando · FLMedian List$365K+1.8%|Palm Beach County · FLMedian List$445K+2.6%|Philadelphia County · PAMedian List$248K+0.9%|Phoenix · AZMedian List$450K+0.9%|Queens County · NYMedian List$688K+1.5%|Riverside County · CAMedian List$465K+2.2%|Salt Lake County · UTMedian List$478K+0.9%|San Antonio · TXMedian List$312K+1.9%|San Diego County · CAMedian List$728K+1.5%|San Francisco County · CAMedian List$1.29M-2.1%|Santa Clara County · CAMedian List$1.32M+1.9%|Shelby County · TNMedian List$195K+0.8%|St. Louis City · MOMedian List$195K+0.4%|Suffolk County · MAMedian List$695K+0.8%|Tarrant · TXInventory MoM+3.8%+3.8%|Wake County · NCMedian List$395K+2.0%|Wayne County · MIMedian List$185K+0.5%|Williamson County · TXMedian List$425K+2.6%|Illustrative validation dataAlameda County · CAMedian List$895K+1.1%|Atlanta · GAMedian List$425K+1.4%|Austin · TXAvg Price/SqFt$312+2.4%|Brooklyn · NYMedian List$925K+1.2%|Broward County · FLMedian List$398K+2.1%|Clark County · NVMedian List$415K+1.7%|Collin · TXDays on Market34-6.0%|Cook County · ILMedian List$315K+0.7%|Cuyahoga County · OHMedian List$178K+0.3%|Dallas · TXMedian List$489K+1.1%|Davidson County · TNMedian List$425K+1.6%|Denton · TXList-to-Sale98.2%+0.4%|Denver County · COMedian List$525K+0.6%|District of Columbia · DCMedian List$625K+1.1%|Duval County · FLMedian List$298K+1.4%|El Paso · TXMedian List$268K+1.6%|Fairfax County · VAMedian List$675K+1.3%|Fort Bend County · TXMedian List$398K+2.1%|Franklin County · OHMedian List$268K+1.9%|Hennepin County · MNMedian List$355K+1.0%|Hillsborough County · FLMedian List$342K+2.3%|Houston · TXAvg Price/SqFt$184-0.6%|Jackson County · MOMedian List$232K+1.3%|King County · WAMedian List$685K+1.2%|Los Angeles · CAAvg Price/SqFt$552-1.4%|Marion County · INMedian List$252K+1.4%|Mecklenburg County · NCMedian List$368K+2.2%|Miami · FLMedian List$425K+2.8%|Milwaukee County · WIMedian List$225K+0.7%|Multnomah County · ORMedian List$455K-0.7%|New York County · NYMedian List$1.65M+0.6%|Orange County · CAMedian List$785K+0.8%|Orange County · Orlando · FLMedian List$365K+1.8%|Palm Beach County · FLMedian List$445K+2.6%|Philadelphia County · PAMedian List$248K+0.9%|Phoenix · AZMedian List$450K+0.9%|Queens County · NYMedian List$688K+1.5%|Riverside County · CAMedian List$465K+2.2%|Salt Lake County · UTMedian List$478K+0.9%|San Antonio · TXMedian List$312K+1.9%|San Diego County · CAMedian List$728K+1.5%|San Francisco County · CAMedian List$1.29M-2.1%|Santa Clara County · CAMedian List$1.32M+1.9%|Shelby County · TNMedian List$195K+0.8%|St. Louis City · MOMedian List$195K+0.4%|Suffolk County · MAMedian List$695K+0.8%|Tarrant · TXInventory MoM+3.8%+3.8%|Wake County · NCMedian List$395K+2.0%|Wayne County · MIMedian List$185K+0.5%|Williamson County · TXMedian List$425K+2.6%|
State intel report · monthly refresh cycle
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Montana

refreshed Sep 11, 2026, 3:50 PMnext refresh due Sep 26, 2026
Market sentiment: cautious

Montana's housing market remains constrained by structural affordability challenges and limited listing inventory. Persistent high mortgage rates have created a lock-in effect, dampening turnover despite sustained inbound migration and demand for western amenity markets.

Market & county intel reports · Montana
Minor markets
BillingsZIP detail pending
Deep property reports · latest 1 researched here
Latest readings
Median sale price
$524,000
Median price / sq ft
$312
Median days on market
62
Active listings
4,820
Listings with price cuts
21.4%
Median price change YoY
+5.8%
Closed sales (monthly)
1,150
Months of supply
4.2
Sale-to-list ratio
98.1%
Median asking rent
$1,850/mo
Population
1,132,812
Median household income
$69,823
Avg effective property tax rate
0.74%
State Market ScoreZIP-SCORE-1.3 · 4/4 sections graded
71
Composite · average of graded sections
Computed only from this report's published readings — sections without data are excluded, never estimated.
79
Growth/100

Median prices moved up 5.8% year over year.

60
Liquidity/100

Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.

66
Momentum/100

21% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.1% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.

80
Safety & stability/100

unemployment 3.1% · poverty 11.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.

Immigration & foreign-bornU.S. Census Bureau ACS · state granular
Foreign-born share
2.3%
Foreign-born residents
25,679
Naturalized (of foreign-born)
53.7%
Non-citizens (of population)
1.1%
Entered 2010 or later (of foreign-born)
34.5%
World region of birth (foreign-born)
Americas
35.9%
Europe
30.3%
Asia
27%
Africa
5%
Oceania
1.8%

ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this state — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident. Federal enforcement activity is presented only at the state tier as regional context — never imputed onto any county, city, ZIP, neighborhood or parcel beneath it.

Median home value · ten-year trajectory & projection

Montana — researched statewide history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection

2015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520272029$200,000$400,000$600,000$800,000$1,000,000

Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 9.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.

Amenities & attractions4 retained amenities · 2 developments on the horizon

The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this state — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.

Inside this state
Glacier National Park
National Park

World-renowned alpine sanctuary featuring the Going-to-the-Sun Road, pristine glacial lakes, and extensive backcountry trail networks.

Yellowstone National Park (North & West Entrances)
National Park

Iconic geothermal wonders, wildlife viewing, and expansive wilderness access serving as a primary driver of southern Montana tourism.

Big Sky Resort
Ski Resort & Recreation

One of North America's largest ski destinations featuring thousands of skiable acres, advanced lift infrastructure, and premier alpine lodging.

Flathead Lake
Freshwater Lake

The largest natural freshwater lake by surface area west of the Mississippi River, renowned for sailing, boating, and cherry orchards.

On the horizon · announced & under construction
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport ExpansionInfrastructureUnder ConstructionOngoing terminal and concourse expansions to accommodate surging passenger growth and transcontinental flight connections.
Montana Heritage CenterCultural VenueCompletedA landmark multi-million dollar expansion in Helena modernizing the Montana Historical Society museum and research facilities.
Area context
Crime & safety

Montana reports violent crime rates slightly higher than the national baseline, primarily concentrated in urban centers like Billings and Great Falls, while property crime has tracked downward statewide over recent reporting periods.

Schools & education

Montana's public education system features strong localized performance with high graduation rates, though funding disparities exist between affluent western districts like Bozeman and rural eastern classifications.

Environmental & hazard

Wildfire risk and smoke exposure represent the primary natural hazards statewide, accompanied by seasonal riverine flooding during spring snowpack melts; severe winter weather and freeze risk also shape property resilience.

Growth & development

Economic expansion is centered along the Western tech and amenity corridor, anchored by Bozeman, Missoula, and Flathead County, driven by photonics, remote-work in-migration, and outdoor recreation services.

Taxation

Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. Federal (United States (federal)) — Federal General Tax Lien Encumbrance: Under IRC § 6321, a statutory lien arises automatically as of the date of assessment and attaches to all real property owned or acquired by the taxpayer. Upon the IRS filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) in local county land records under IRC § 6323, it perfects priority against subsequent pur Federal (United States (federal)) — Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Tax Withholding: Imposes an absolute statutory obligation on the transferee/buyer to withhold gross tax from the total amount realized (purchase price) upon disposition and remit it to the IRS within 20 days using Forms 8288 and 8288-A. Rate structure and formula: Base statutory withholding rate is 15% of the gross

Economy & employers

Montana's economy is sustained by agriculture, healthcare, natural resource extraction, tourism, and an expanding high-tech photonics and software sector in Bozeman and Missoula.

Insurance & hazard market

Homeowners insurance premiums have escalated notably across western forested valleys due to mounting wildfire hazard exposures and reinsurance adjustments.

Migration & population flows

Montana experienced top-tier net domestic in-migration post-2020 from states such as California, Washington, and Colorado, creating an acute demand-supply gap.

Foreclosure doctrine

Montana predominantly uses non-judicial foreclosures under the Small Tract Financing Act via deeds of trust, generally requiring a 120-day notice period with limited post-sale statutory redemption.

Disclosure doctrine

Montana follows caveat emptor principles tempered by licensing standards, requiring sellers and licensed brokers to disclose known material latent structural and environmental defects.

Discovery profileACS 2019-2023 5-year estimates
Census profile · Montana
Population
1,132,812
Median age
40.1 yrs
Owner-occupancy
68.7%
Median home value
$358,400
Median gross rent
$988
Median household income
$69,823
Median year built
1980
Vacancy rate
14.8%
Renter share
31.3%
Owner cost burden
21.8%
Renter cost burden
44.6%
Population change
+1.2%
Net migration
14,200
Work-from-home share
11.2%
Mean commute
18.5 min
Bachelor's or higher
35.1%
Unemployment
3.1%
Poverty rate
11.8%
Avg household size
2.38
White alone
84.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
6.1%
Hispanic or Latino
4.5%
Two or More Races
3.4%
Asian alone
0.8%
Black or African American alone
0.4%

Retrieved from Census Bureau ACS profiles for the State of Montana

Major employers & industries
Billings ClinicHealthcare4,000+ employees
Montana State UniversityHigher Education4,000+ employees
BNSF RailwayTransportation & Logistics3,000+ employees
Providence St. Patrick HospitalHealthcare2,500+ employees
Latest refresh summary

Montana's housing market remains constrained by structural affordability challenges and limited listing inventory. Persistent high mortgage rates have created a lock-in effect, dampening turnover despite sustained inbound migration and demand for western amenity markets.

Sources · 5 cited
Jurisdictional burden contextinherited governance · most-local first
Federal · United States (federal)
Fair Housing Act Parcel Design, Construction, and Accessibility StandardsBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — The parcel contains covered multifamily residential dwellings designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 (defined as all dwelling units in buildings with 4 or more units with an elevator, or ground floor dwelling units in buildings with 4 or more units without an elevator).

Imposes mandatory physical structural criteria on the parcel improvements: (1) accessible building entrance on an accessible route, (2) accessible public and common use areas, (3) usable doors for wheelchairs, (4) accessible routes into and through each dwelling unit, (5) light switches, electrical outlets, and environmental controls in accessible locations, (6) reinforced bathroom walls for grab bar installation, and (7) usable kitchens and bathrooms permitting wheelchair maneuvering. Non-conforming improvements require mandatory structural retrofits and subject developers/owners to federal civil actions.

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 3604(f)(3)(C)); HUD regulations at 24 CFR 100.205.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Mortgage Foreclosure MoratoriumForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — The parcel secures a residential mortgage originated before the property owner entered active military service, where the debt is enforced during or within one year after active military service.

Restricts lender foreclosure rights by nullifying any non-judicial foreclosure, sale, or seizure of the residential parcel without a court order or valid written waiver executed by the servicemember during or after active duty. Courts are empowered to stay foreclosure proceedings or adjust loan payments. Foreclosing without a court order constitutes a federal criminal misdemeanor and exposes the lender to civil damages.

50 U.S.C. 3953; codified originally as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, modernized under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-189).

Federal General Tax Lien EncumbranceTaxationConditional

applies when — The residential parcel is owned by a person or entity that has neglected or refused to pay any assessed federal tax liability (income, gift, estate, or payroll tax) after formal demand.

Under IRC § 6321, a statutory lien arises automatically as of the date of assessment and attaches to all real property owned or acquired by the taxpayer. Upon the IRS filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) in local county land records under IRC § 6323, it perfects priority against subsequent purchasers, mortgagees, and judgment lien creditors. Rate and computation: The lien secures 100% of the underlying unpaid tax assessment, plus compounding interest under IRC § 6621 (the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points) and statutory late-payment penalties under IRC § 6651 (0.5% per month, up to a maximum cap of 25%). No parcel-level homestead exemption exists under federal law against an IRC § 7403 judicial foreclosure or tax collection lien.

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §§ 6321, 6322, 6323.

EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) RuleBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — The parcel is improved with target residential housing built before 1978 undergoing renovation, repair, or painting activities for compensation that disturb more than 6 sq. ft. of interior painted surface or 20 sq. ft. of exterior painted surface.

Legally prohibits uncertified contractors from performing qualifying physical alterations on the home. Contractors must be EPA-certified and adhere to specific lead-safe containment, containment plastic barriers, HEPA vacuuming, and cleaning verification protocols. Imposes strict recordkeeping burdens and exposes property alterations to federal administrative stop-work orders and civil fines for uncontained lead dust contamination.

Promulgated under TSCA § 402(c)(3) (15 U.S.C. 2682); codified at 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart E; fully effective April 22, 2010.

Clean Water Act Section 404 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) PermittingLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — The parcel contains wetlands, streams, or waterways that meet the definition of 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) as delineated under the Clean Water Act.

Prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into jurisdictional wetlands or waters without a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Restricts residential site grading, driveway installation, structural foundation expansion, or shoreline bulkheading; unauthorized fill mandates compulsory site restoration and subjects parcel owners to civil penalties exceeding $50,000 per day under 33 U.S.C. 1319.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 33 U.S.C. 1344; current delineation criteria governed in accordance with Sackett v. EPA (2023) and conforming federal rulemaking (40 CFR Part 120 / 33 CFR Part 328).

Federal Historic Preservation Review Encumbrance (Section 106)Land use & zoningConditional

applies when — The residential parcel is listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or lies within an eligible historic district, and involves an action subject to federal agency funding, permitting, licensing, or mortgage assistance (e.g., HUD/FHA, VA, USDA, or USACE permits).

Federal agencies must assess adverse effects on historic resources prior to approving loans, grants, or permits. Parcel alterations, demolitions, or rehabilitation programs that receive federal assistance are subjected to binding Section 106 consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, restricting unapproved structural modifications or exterior elevation changes.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 306108, formerly 16 U.S.C. 470f); regulations codified at 36 CFR Part 800.

FHA / HUD Single-Family Property Standards and County Loan LimitsLending & financingConditional

applies when — The parcel is being purchased or refinanced using FHA-insured Title II financing under the National Housing Act.

Restricts financing eligibility based on parcel and structural criteria: (1) County Loan Limits cap the maximum insurable mortgage balance per parcel based on local median housing costs (ranging from a federal statutory floor of 65% of the national conforming limit up to a statutory ceiling of 150%). (2) Imposes mandatory HUD Minimum Property Standards (MPS; HUD Handbook 4000.1 / 24 CFR Part 200) requiring mandatory appraisal repair escrows or seller cures for deficiencies regarding structural soundness, safety, soil stability, drainage, well/septic separation buffers, and lead paint encapsulation before loan endorsement.

National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1709); annual loan limit updates promulgated under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).

Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Tax WithholdingTaxationConditional

applies when — The parcel constitutes a U.S. Real Property Interest (USRPI) transferred or disposed of by a 'foreign person' (non-resident alien individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, or foreign trust/estate).

Imposes an absolute statutory obligation on the transferee/buyer to withhold gross tax from the total amount realized (purchase price) upon disposition and remit it to the IRS within 20 days using Forms 8288 and 8288-A. Rate structure and formula: Base statutory withholding rate is 15% of the gross sales price. Residential personal residence exemption computation: (1) If the gross sales price does not exceed $300,000 AND the buyer (or family member) intends to use the parcel as a personal residence for at least 50% of days used during each of the first two 12-month periods, the withholding rate is 0%. (2) If the gross sales price exceeds $300,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000 and meets the same personal residence test, the withholding rate is reduced to 10% of the gross sales price. (3) For all sales exceeding $1,000,000, or where the buyer does not satisfy the personal residence requir

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 1445; enacted via the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, with standard rate increased from 10% to 15% pursuant to the PATH Act of 2015.

Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) DisclosureDisclosure & transactionConditional

applies when — The parcel is improved with 'target housing,' defined as any residential dwelling constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless a child under age 6 resides or is expected to reside there) or 0-bedroom dwellings.

Before a purchaser or lessee becomes obligated under any contract to buy or lease, the seller or landlord must: (1) provide an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet ('Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home'), (2) disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and provide all available records/evaluations, (3) attach a federal Lead Warning Statement and disclosure certification to the contract, and (4) afford buyers a mandatory 10-day mutual inspection period (waivable in writing) to conduct a risk assessment. Failure to comply exposes violators to civil liability, statutory treble damages, and administrative penalties up to statutory maximums per violation.

Enacted under Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4852d), implemented jointly by EPA and HUD at 40 CFR Part 745 / 24 CFR Part 35.

FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area — NFIP Mandatory Purchase RequirementHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — The parcel contains an insurable improved structure or manufactured home located within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA; 100-year floodplain / 1% annual chance of flood, Zones A or V) in a participating NFIP community, securing a loan made, increased, extended, or renewed by a federally regulated lender or federal agency lender.

Mandates the continuous purchase and maintenance of flood insurance coverage for the term of the mortgage in an amount at least equal to the lesser of: (1) the outstanding principal balance of the loan, (2) the maximum insurable value under the NFIP ($250,000 for residential 1–4 family structures), or (3) the maximum insurable replacement cost value of the structure. If the borrower fails to maintain coverage, the lender must force-place flood insurance at the borrower's expense.

Enacted under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a), significantly strengthened by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.

Foreclosure ledgerMontana · open the full ledger
Recorded notices
0
Statutory trustee notices in scope
Upcoming sales
0
No dated sale in the current set
Distress weight
0.0
per 10,000 residents
Weight band
LOW WEIGHT

No recorded foreclosure notices for Montana yet. Counties ingest on the scheduled rotation — absence here reads as no recorded notices, not as verified zero distress.