Real Estate Investing in Missoula, Montana (59802)

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

Missoula County • Population: 19,832 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 59802 (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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 34.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Missoula, MT (59802)?

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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 $565,541
Avg Monthly Rent $1,372
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,908
% Renters 50.6%

Market Analysis: 59802 Missoula

ZIP 59802 inside Missoula County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $566K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 59802 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $566K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within MT, ZIP 59802 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Missoula County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 59802 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 59802, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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: 54/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,372/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 59802

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+10.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$172,404/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $329,525 $1,330 2.9% +8.1% $329,525
2BR $410,288 $1,570 2.8% +9.4% $205,144
3BR $588,911 $2,180 2.7% +9.6% $196,304
4BR $712,501 $2,630 2.7% +10.0% $178,125
5BR $862,018 +10.7% $172,404

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$597K$511K$425K$339K$253K$167KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,510$1,471$1,433$1,394$1,355$1,316Feb 2023Nov 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59802 Compare?

Metric 59802 Missoula Missoula, MT Montana
Home Value $565,541 $371,515 N/A $457,278
5-Year CAGR 5.1% 4.9% N/A 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,372 $1,712 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.9% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 59802? Click to expand

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

51% 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 59802 (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
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.1%
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 $565,541
Monthly Rent $1,372
Price-to-Rent 34.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.9%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 7.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -8.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
11.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59802

Population: 19,832

💰 Median Household Income
$64,908
This area
$64,908
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
50.6%
This area
50.6%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
49.8%
This area
49.8%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.9 years
This area
35.9 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.4%
This area
11.4%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.0%
Other/Mixed 9.5%
Hispanic/Latino 5.5%
Asian 2.1%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
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 59802

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
12.1:1 Avg Class Size
$21,786 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

DeSmet School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
92 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$34,623 Per Student
A Very Good

DeSmet 6-8

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
37 Students
👨‍🏫
8.2:1 Class Size
💰
$34,623 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hellgate Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
300 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,622 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lowell School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
325 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,532 Per Student
B Good

Rattlesnake Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
407 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 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 · 4.3 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Missoula, MT?

Missoula, MT median home values land near $566K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,372/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Missoula, MT a friendly market for rental owners?

Missoula, MT falls under MT landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What is the tenant pool like in Missoula, MT?

The tenant pool in Missoula, MT is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,372/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What type of investing works in Missoula, MT?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Missoula, MT best. The market produces steady results for that approach at the $566K price point.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Missoula, MT?

For house hackers, Missoula, MT is a challenging. The $1,372/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $566K property.

You know 59802 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59802 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 59802 ranks in Missoula, MT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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