Real Estate Investing in Bighorn, Montana (59038)

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

Treasure County • Population: 683 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59038 (Bighorn, 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 27.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Bighorn, MT (59038)?

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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 $222,264
Avg Monthly Rent $1,404
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,917
% Renters 28.9%

Market Analysis: 59038 Bighorn

The 59038 ZIP covers a section of Bighorn that demands careful diligence. Prices near $222K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 59038 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

On balance, 59038 offers a low basis, the region around Bighorn has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 59038 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 59038, 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 Bighorn:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+23.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,404/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$237K$207K$176K$146K$116K$86KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59038 Compare?

Metric 59038 Bighorn Montana
Home Value $222,264 $111,132 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,404 $1,404 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 59038? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59038 (Bighorn, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $222,264
Monthly Rent $1,404
Price-to-Rent 13.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 11.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +23.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
27.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59038

Population: 683

💰 Median Household Income
$62,917
This area
$62,917
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.9%
This area
28.9%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.6%
This area
28.6%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
54.4 years
This area
54.4 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.9%
This area
27.9%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.6%
Other/Mixed 4.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Asian 1.3%
👶 Under 18
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.6%
This area
21.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
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 59038

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
7.2:1 Avg Class Size
$23,115 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Hysham School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
59 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,115 Per Student
A Very Good

Hysham 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
12 Students
👨‍🏫
7.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,115 Per Student
A Very Good

Hysham High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
3.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,115 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

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Bighorn, MT?

Expect elevated vacancy in Bighorn, MT. Rents at $1,404/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What is the smart move for investors in Bighorn, MT?

In Bighorn, MT the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $222K prices and $1,404/mo rents suits that approach.

What is the average monthly rent in Bighorn, MT?

Rent in Bighorn, MT is around $1,404/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $222K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Are renters plentiful in Bighorn, MT?

Working renters make up the core of the Bighorn, MT tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Does Bighorn, MT make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Bighorn, MT reflects its $222K prices and $1,404/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MT.

You know 59038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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