Real Estate Investing in Hardin, Montana (59034)

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

Big Horn County • Population: 4,972 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59034 (Hardin, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 14.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 8.2% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

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

What’s happening in Hardin, MT (59034)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $223,478
Avg Monthly Rent $1,152
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,893
% Renters 38.6%

Market Analysis: 59034 Hardin

Investors eyeing 59034 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $223K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 59034 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Looking more closely, 59034 offers a low basis, the region around Hardin has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 59034 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 59034 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $223K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Hardin:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,152/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 59034

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$64,904/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $157,334 $1,280 5.9% +9.7% $78,667
3BR $217,058 $1,630 5.4% +8.4% $72,353
4BR $259,617 $2,080 5.8% +8.3% $64,904

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$235K$206K$177K$148K$119K$90KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59034 Compare?

Metric 59034 Hardin Montana
Home Value $223,478 $223,478 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,152 $1,152 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 59034? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59034 (Hardin, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $223,478
Monthly Rent $1,152
Price-to-Rent 16.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.2%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
14.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59034

Population: 4,972

💰 Median Household Income
$55,893
This area
$55,893
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.6%
This area
38.6%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.7%
This area
27.7%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.3 years
This area
34.3 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.2%
This area
14.2%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.9%
Other/Mixed 48.6%
Asian 0.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
👶 Under 18
28.4%
This area
28.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.9%
This area
14.9%
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 59034

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$17,695 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hardin Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
370 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,950 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hardin Primary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,950 Per Student
A Very Good

Hardin Intermediate

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
280 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,950 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hardin High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
540 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,928 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 314 Off-Campus Students
C
Little Big Horn College
378 students · 13.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Hardin, MT?

Hardin, MT median home values land near $223K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,152/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Hardin, MT a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Hardin, MT a 3.0/5 investability score. With $223K home prices against $1,152/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How deep is the rental pool in Hardin, MT?

The tenant pool in Hardin, MT is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,152/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What is it like being a landlord in Hardin, MT?

MT ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Hardin generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Hardin, MT?

For house hackers, Hardin, MT is a challenging. The $1,152/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $223K property.

You know 59034 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59034 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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