Real Estate Investing in Darby, Montana (59829)

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

Ravalli County • Population: 2,338 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59829 (Darby, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 21.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 40.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Darby, MT (59829)?

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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 $570,509
Avg Monthly Rent $1,188
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,643
% Renters 23.9%

Market Analysis: 59829 Darby

In practical terms, ZIP 59829 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $571K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $1,188/mo on a $571K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 59829 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader MT picture, 59829 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 59829 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 59829 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Darby:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 48/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 10.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,188/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 59829

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+10.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$199,999/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $409,563 $1,060 1.9% +9.8% $409,563
2BR $485,944 $1,320 2.0% +10.1% $242,972
3BR $623,514 $1,840 2.1% +10.3% $207,838
4BR $799,996 $2,210 2.0% +10.1% $199,999

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$637K$543K$449K$355K$261K$168KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59829 Compare?

Metric 59829 Darby Montana
Home Value $570,509 $570,509 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 4.1% 4.1% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,188 $1,188 -
Cap Rate 1.6% 1.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 59829? 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 59829 (Darby, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $570,509
Monthly Rent $1,188
Price-to-Rent 40.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.5%
Cap Rate 1.6%
5-Year IRR 5.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.6%). 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
21.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59829

Population: 2,338

💰 Median Household Income
$54,643
This area
$54,643
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.1%
This area
29.1%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
60.2 years
This area
60.2 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.8%
This area
21.8%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.9%
Other/Mixed 7.2%
Asian 2.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
👶 Under 18
10.7%
This area
10.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.7%
This area
35.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
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 59829

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$15,014 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Darby High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
112 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Darby School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
175 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,014 Per Student
B Good

Darby 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
50 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,014 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 is the typical vacancy rate in Darby, MT?

Vacancy in Darby, MT is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,188/mo.

Is Darby, MT a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Darby, MT posts an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $571K and average rents around $1,188/mo. That combination puts it in the resilient tier for investor interest.

Are tenants stable in Darby, MT?

Darby, MT offers a reliable renter base at the $1,188/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What type of investing works in Darby, MT?

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

Are homes affordable in Darby, MT?

Median home price in Darby, MT is near $571K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 59829 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59829 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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