Real Estate Investing in Big Timber, Montana (59011)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Sweet Grass County • Population: 3,131 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59011 (Big Timber, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Big Timber, MT (59011)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $462,361
Avg Monthly Rent $1,044
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,397
% Renters 24.7%

Market Analysis: 59011 Big Timber

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Big Timber's 59011 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $462K pricing implies.

Rent of $1,044/mo on a $462K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 59011 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Big Timber have seen price recovery that 59011 has not matched. Sweet Grass County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 59011 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Big Timber:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,044/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 59011

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+12.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$146,006/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $314,905 $1,160 2.7% +10.9% $157,453
3BR $452,882 $1,540 2.4% +11.6% $150,961
4BR $584,023 $1,850 2.3% +12.1% $146,006

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$488K$414K$341K$267K$194K$120KFeb 2010May 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59011 Compare?

Metric 59011 Big Timber Montana
Home Value $462,361 $462,361 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 8.8% 8.8% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,044 $1,044 -
Cap Rate 1.8% 1.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 59011? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59011 (Big Timber, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $462,361
Monthly Rent $1,044
Price-to-Rent 36.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.7%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
17.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59011

Population: 3,131

💰 Median Household Income
$63,397
This area
$63,397
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.7%
This area
24.7%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.6%
This area
23.6%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.2 years
This area
43.2 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.5%
This area
17.5%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.4%
Other/Mixed 4.8%
Black/African American 1.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 59011

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.5:1 Avg Class Size
$14,714 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Sweet Grass Co High Schl

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
152 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$24,311 Per Student
B Good

Big Timber School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$9,916 Per Student
C+ Average

Big Timber 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
70 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$9,916 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Big Timber, MT?

Big Timber, MT rentals go for roughly $1,044/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $462K acquisition costs.

What are home prices like in Big Timber, MT?

In Big Timber, MT the median home value sits at $462K. Against the broader MT market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is Big Timber, MT a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Big Timber, MT scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $462K and rents near $1,044/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Big Timber, MT?

Vacancy risk in Big Timber, MT is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does house hacking make sense in Big Timber, MT?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Big Timber, MT reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 59011 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59011 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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