Real Estate Investing in Colstrip, Montana (59323)

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

Rosebud County • Population: 2,156 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59323 (Colstrip, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (74/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Colstrip, MT (59323)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $235,787
Avg Monthly Rent $1,125
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $87,321
% Renters 16.4%

Market Analysis: 59323 Colstrip

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 59323 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $236K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 59323 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $236K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader MT picture, 59323 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 59323 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Colstrip averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

seems 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 Colstrip:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,125/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)

$247K$223K$200K$176K$152K$129KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59323 Compare?

Metric 59323 Colstrip Montana
Home Value $235,787 $235,787 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,125 $1,125 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 59323? 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 59323 (Colstrip, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $235,787
Monthly Rent $1,125
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
8.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59323

Population: 2,156

💰 Median Household Income
$87,321
This area
$87,321
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.4%
This area
16.4%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.7%
This area
24.7%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.8 years
This area
41.8 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.3%
Other/Mixed 21.4%
Hispanic/Latino 5.6%
Asian 1.3%
👶 Under 18
29.7%
This area
29.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.5%
This area
9.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
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 59323

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$23,745 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Colstrip High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
157 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$32,932 Per Student
A Very Good

Frank Brattin Middle Schl

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
126 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,152 Per Student
A Very Good

Pine Butte Elementary Sch

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,152 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

Are landlord laws favorable in Colstrip, MT?

Colstrip, MT operates under MT law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

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

Our data puts Colstrip, MT at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $236K and rents around $1,125/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

How expensive is real estate in Colstrip, MT?

Median home price in Colstrip, MT is near $236K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What is the typical rental rate in Colstrip, MT?

Investors in Colstrip, MT typically see rents near $1,125/mo per month against $236K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Colstrip, MT?

Tenant demand in Colstrip, MT is solid. The local workforce $1,125/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 59323 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59323 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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