Real Estate Investing in Missoula, Montana (59801)

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

Missoula County • Population: 31,127 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59801 (Missoula, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (47/100)

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 price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Missoula, MT (59801)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $510,279
Avg Monthly Rent $1,539
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,494
% Renters 61.1%

Market Analysis: 59801 Missoula

On the rental side, ZIP 59801 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $510K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 59801 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 59801 among MT's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 59801 ZIP's population of 31,127 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 59801 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Missoula:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 9.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,539/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Missoula, MT Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Missoula, MT metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 59801

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$137,898/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $360,619 $1,390 2.8% +7.3% $360,619
2BR $435,896 $1,640 2.7% +9.4% $217,948
3BR $497,547 $2,280 3.3% +9.2% $165,849
4BR $600,704 $2,750 3.3% +9.6% $150,176
5BR $689,492 +9.9% $137,898

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$538K$461K$385K$309K$232K$156KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,588$1,468$1,348$1,228$1,109$989Feb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59801 Compare?

Metric 59801 Missoula Missoula, MT Montana
Home Value $510,279 $371,515 N/A $457,278
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.9% N/A 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,539 $1,712 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 59801? Click to expand

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

61% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 59801 (Missoula, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Missoula County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Highland Property Management, a subsidiary of Summit Management Group, Inc., focuses on the development, management, and construction of market-rate, workforce, rent-to-own, and low-income multi-famil summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Plum Property Management proudly serves renters and owners in Western Montana, offering management services for commercial, residential, vacation, and storage properties. summary from their website

CommercialSingle-familySmall multifamilyShort-term rentals
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Real Property Management Sapphire provides property management services in the Bitterroot Valley, MT. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Missoula, MT metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $510,279
Monthly Rent $1,539
Price-to-Rent 27.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 6.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
5.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59801

Population: 31,127

💰 Median Household Income
$51,494
This area
$51,494
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
61.1%
This area
61.1%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
49.3%
This area
49.3%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
31.1 years
This area
31.1 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.4%
Other/Mixed 10.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Black/African American 1.0%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
16.4%
This area
16.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.1%
This area
12.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
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 59801

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,855 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Franklin School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
282 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,532 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hellgate High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,312 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,663 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lewis & Clark School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
423 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,532 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Paxson School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,532 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Russell School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
385 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,532 Per Student
B Good

Sentinel High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,386 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,663 Per Student
B Good

Washington Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
682 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,532 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 1,259 Off-Campus Students
C+
The University of Montana
10,327 students · 1.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,259 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Missoula, MT?

Missoula, MT rentals go for roughly $1,539/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $510K acquisition costs.

What strategy should investors use in Missoula, MT?

For Missoula, MT, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Missoula, MT?

Vacancy risk in Missoula, MT is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

How deep is the rental pool in Missoula, MT?

Tenant quality in Missoula, MT ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $1,539/mo.

Should investors consider Missoula, MT?

Investors tracking Missoula, MT will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $510K median home values and $1,539/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

You know 59801 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59801 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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How 59801 ranks in Missoula, MT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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