Real Estate Investing in Saco, Montana (59261)

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

Phillips County • Population: 496 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59261 (Saco, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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: 51.1% 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 Saco, MT (59261)?

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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 $154,553
Avg Monthly Rent $1,161
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,286
% Renters 23.3%

Market Analysis: 59261 Saco

This part of Phillips County is not an easy win. The 59261 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 59261 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $155K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 59261's metrics run below Phillips County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

From a cash-flow lens, 496 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

New investors are better served looking at Saco's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 59261. 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 Saco:

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 (+4.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,161/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)

$171K$149K$127K$106K$84K$63KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59261 Compare?

Metric 59261 Saco Montana
Home Value $154,553 $154,553 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,161 $1,161 -
Cap Rate 5.9% 5.9% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 59261? 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 59261 (Saco, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $154,553
Monthly Rent $1,161
Price-to-Rent 11.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.0%
Cap Rate 5.9%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.9%). 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
51.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59261

Population: 496

💰 Median Household Income
$59,286
This area
$59,286
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.3%
This area
23.3%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.3%
This area
0.3%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.4%
This area
17.4%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
58.3 years
This area
58.3 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
51.1%
This area
51.1%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.8%
Other/Mixed 4.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
👶 Under 18
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
32.2%
This area
32.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
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 59261

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
4.9:1 Avg Class Size
$34,367 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Saco 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
5 Students
👨‍🏫
2.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,950 Per Student
A Very Good

Saco High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
4.4:1 Class Size
💰
$47,200 Per Student
A Very Good

Saco School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
30 Students
👨‍🏫
7.4:1 Class Size
💰
$27,950 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

What are rental rates like in Saco, MT?

Average rent in Saco, MT is approximately $1,161/mo per month. Against $155K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What investment strategy works best in Saco, MT?

Most investors in Saco, MT run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How does Saco, MT rate as a rental market?

Saco, MT scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $155K and rents near $1,161/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Are there empty rentals in Saco, MT?

Vacancy in Saco, MT is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,161/mo.

What does house hacking look like in Saco, MT?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Saco, MT reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 59261 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59261 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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