Real Estate Investing in Chinook, Montana (59523)

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

Blaine County • Population: 2,281 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59523 (Chinook, 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 (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: 17.9% 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 Chinook, MT (59523)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $219,020
Avg Monthly Rent $1,044
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,071
% Renters 30.2%

Market Analysis: 59523 Chinook

This part of Blaine County is not an easy win. The 59523 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 59523 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Chinook have seen price recovery that 59523 has not matched. Blaine County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 59523 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

New investors are better served looking at Chinook's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 59523. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Chinook:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,044/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 59523

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+11.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$72,789/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $152,288 $1,160 5.5% +11.1% $76,144
3BR $238,790 $1,510 4.6% +11.2% $79,597
4BR $291,154 $1,880 4.6% +11.6% $72,789

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$229K$200K$171K$142K$113K$84KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59523 Compare?

Metric 59523 Chinook Montana
Home Value $219,020 $219,020 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 8.1% 8.1% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,044 $1,044 -
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 59523? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59523 (Chinook, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $219,020
Monthly Rent $1,044
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 11.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲

🏠 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
17.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59523

Population: 2,281

💰 Median Household Income
$68,071
This area
$68,071
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.2%
This area
30.2%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.4%
This area
33.4%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.5 years
This area
45.5 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.9%
This area
17.9%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.9%
Other/Mixed 7.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
26.1%
This area
26.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 59523

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
10.7:1 Avg Class Size
$33,341 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Chinook High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
118 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,895 Per Student
A Very Good

Cleveland School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
7 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$92,000 Per Student
A Very Good

Meadowlark School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
149 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,654 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Bear Paw School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
11 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,500 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Chinook 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
55 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,654 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 much should I expect to pay for a home in Chinook, MT?

Expect median prices around $219K in Chinook, MT. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

What approach is best for Chinook, MT real estate?

The best-fit strategy in Chinook, MT is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How strong is the working-renter base in Chinook, MT?

Tenant demand in Chinook, MT is solid. The local workforce $1,044/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is house hacking profitable in Chinook, MT?

House hacking in Chinook, MT is reasonable to execute. Prices around $219K and rents of $1,044/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What are vacancy rates like in Chinook, MT?

Vacancy in Chinook, MT is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,044/mo.

You know 59523 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59523 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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