Real Estate Investing in Cooke City, Montana (59020)

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

Park County • Population: 97 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59020 (Cooke City, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (29/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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: 65.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Cooke City, MT (59020)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $619,861
Avg Monthly Rent $1,719
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,250
% Renters 43.8%

Market Analysis: 59020 Cooke City

Investors eyeing 59020 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $620K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 59020 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 59020's metrics run below Park County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A sturdy renter share of 44% in 59020 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 59020, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Cooke City:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 48/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 13.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,719/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$679K$603K$526K$449K$372K$295KOct 2015Mar 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59020 Compare?

Metric 59020 Cooke City Montana
Home Value $619,861 $619,861 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 3.3% 3.3% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,719 $1,719 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 59020? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 44% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 59020 (Cooke City, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $619,861
Monthly Rent $1,719
Price-to-Rent 30.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 5.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
65.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59020

Population: 97

💰 Median Household Income
$46,250
This area
$46,250
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
43.8%
This area
43.8%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
41.1%
This area
41.1%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.0 years
This area
44.0 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
65.5%
This area
65.5%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
5.8%
This area
5.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.6%
This area
25.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 59020

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
5.0:1 Avg Class Size
$19,429 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Cooke City School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
5 Students
👨‍🏫
5.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,429 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

Which investment style suits Cooke City, MT?

Most investors in Cooke City, MT run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Is rental property easy to operate in Cooke City, MT?

MT law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Cooke City inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is Cooke City in MT worth investing in?

Cooke City, MT rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $620K and rents near $1,719/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Cooke City, MT?

Rental vacancy in Cooke City, MT is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How viable is house hacking in Cooke City, MT?

Cooke City, MT offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,719/mo rent level.

You know 59020 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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