Real Estate Investing in Plentywood, Montana (59254)

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

Sheridan County • Population: 1,845 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59254 (Plentywood, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 30.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Plentywood, MT (59254)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $169,121
Avg Monthly Rent $972
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,625
% Renters 25.0%

Market Analysis: 59254 Plentywood

Looking more closely, ZIP 59254 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $169K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 59254 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within MT, ZIP 59254 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Sheridan County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

A substantial renter share of 25% in 59254 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

appears 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 Plentywood:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $972/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 59254

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$49,921/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $107,806 $1,080 7.2% +5.1% $53,903
3BR $178,028 $1,500 6.1% +6.2% $59,343
4BR $199,682 $1,610 5.8% +5.5% $49,921

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$177K$158K$139K$121K$102K$83KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59254 Compare?

Metric 59254 Plentywood Montana
Home Value $169,121 $169,121 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% 9.2%
Avg Rent $972 $972 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 59254? 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 59254 (Plentywood, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $169,121
Monthly Rent $972
Price-to-Rent 14.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
30.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59254

Population: 1,845

💰 Median Household Income
$65,625
This area
$65,625
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.0%
This area
25.0%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.4 years
This area
49.4 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.9%
This area
30.9%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.4%
Other/Mixed 9.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
👶 Under 18
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.3%
This area
26.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
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 59254

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,312 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Plentywood High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
102 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
A Very Good

Plentywood School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
197 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Plentywood 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
51 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,312 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

How expensive is real estate in Plentywood, MT?

Median home price in Plentywood, MT is near $169K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How tight is the rental market in Plentywood, MT?

Plentywood, MT carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $972/mo.

How deep is the rental pool in Plentywood, MT?

The tenant pool in Plentywood, MT is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $972/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Plentywood, MT?

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

How much do tenants pay in Plentywood, MT?

Expect rents around $972/mo per month in Plentywood, MT. With home values at $169K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 59254 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59254 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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