Real Estate Investing in Valier, Montana (59486)

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

Pondera County • Population: 1,196 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59486 (Valier, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 13.6% 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 Valier, MT (59486)?

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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 $298,113
Avg Monthly Rent $1,008
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,944
% Renters 22.2%

Market Analysis: 59486 Valier

ZIP 59486 inside Pondera County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $298K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 59486 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

On the rental side, 59486 offers a low basis, the region around Valier has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 59486 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

tilts toward 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 Valier:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,008/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 59486

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$86,517/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $173,033 $1,120 4.7% +10.7% $86,517
3BR $307,080 $1,420 3.3% +9.9% $102,360

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$313K$270K$227K$185K$142K$99KJan 2013Oct 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59486 Compare?

Metric 59486 Valier Montana
Home Value $298,113 $298,113 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 7.7% 7.7% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,008 $1,008 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 59486? Click to expand

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

📊 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 59486 (Valier, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 59486 (Valier, MT)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.7%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $298,113
Monthly Rent $1,008
Price-to-Rent 24.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
13.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59486

Population: 1,196

💰 Median Household Income
$51,944
This area
$51,944
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.2%
This area
22.2%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.2%
This area
20.2%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.6 years
This area
45.6 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.6%
This area
13.6%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.9%
Other/Mixed 18.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.6%
This area
25.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.0%
This area
11.0%
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 59486

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
12.0:1 Avg Class Size
$20,573 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Valier High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
38 Students
👨‍🏫
7.4:1 Class Size
💰
$31,976 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Valier School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
66 Students
👨‍🏫
8.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,555 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Valier 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
19 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,555 Per Student
B Good

Pondera Colony School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Limited Data
💰
$21,224 Per Student
C+ Average

Kingsbury Colony Attn Ctr

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
22 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,555 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 do home values compare in Valier, MT?

Homes in Valier, MT typically sell near $298K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which steady long-term demand.

Is the tenant base reliable in Valier, MT?

Tenant demand in Valier, MT is solid. The local workforce $1,008/mo rents across most rental classes.

How landlord-friendly is Valier, MT?

The landlord environment in Valier, MT is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Valier, MT?

Occupancy in Valier, MT runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,008/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Valier, MT?

The house hack math a challenging in Valier, MT. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,008/mo rents and $298K home values.

You know 59486 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59486 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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