Real Estate Investing in Highwood, Montana (59450)

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

Chouteau County • Population: 568 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59450 (Highwood, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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: 24.4% 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 Highwood, MT (59450)?

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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 $388,613
Avg Monthly Rent $1,764
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,250
% Renters 32.8%

Market Analysis: 59450 Highwood

ZIP 59450 inside Chouteau County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $389K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $389K asset, 59450 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MT picture, 59450 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 59450 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 59450 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Highwood:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,764/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)

$408K$353K$298K$243K$188K$133KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59450 Compare?

Metric 59450 Highwood Montana
Home Value $388,613 $388,613 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 8.0% 8.0% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,764 $1,764 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 59450? 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 59450 (Highwood, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $388,613
Monthly Rent $1,764
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 11.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
24.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59450

Population: 568

💰 Median Household Income
$60,250
This area
$60,250
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.8%
This area
32.8%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
36.7%
This area
36.7%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.3 years
This area
44.3 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.4%
This area
24.4%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.9%
Other/Mixed 1.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
26.1%
This area
26.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
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 59450

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
9.2:1 Avg Class Size
$20,319 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Highwood High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
32 Students
👨‍🏫
7.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A Very Good

Highwood Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
8.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 Per Student
A Very Good

Highwood School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
60 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,319 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 rents high in Highwood, MT?

Rental rates in Highwood, MT average $1,764/mo. Tenant demand and $389K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the typical renter like in Highwood, MT?

The renter base in Highwood, MT is reasonable for the $1,764/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

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

Landlord-friendliness in Highwood, MT is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Is Highwood, MT a good market for FHA house hackers?

House hacking in Highwood, MT is a challenging. With home values around $389K and rents at $1,764/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Are homes affordable in Highwood, MT?

Expect median prices around $389K in Highwood, MT. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

You know 59450 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59450 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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