Real Estate Investing in Ronan, Montana (59864)

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

Lake County • Population: 7,399 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59864 (Ronan, 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 13.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.0% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.6 — 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 Ronan, MT (59864)?

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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 $447,152
Avg Monthly Rent $1,260
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,518
% Renters 33.3%

Market Analysis: 59864 Ronan

This part of Lake County is not an easy win. The 59864 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 59864 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In practical terms, 59864 offers a low basis, the region around Ronan has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 59864 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.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 59864 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 Ronan:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 9.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,260/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 59864

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+11.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$143,202/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $377,104 $1,400 2.7% +10.7% $188,552
3BR $434,450 $1,810 3.0% +10.4% $144,817
4BR $572,810 $1,930 2.4% +11.2% $143,202

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$476K$406K$336K$266K$196K$127KJul 2009Jan 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59864 Compare?

Metric 59864 Ronan Montana
Home Value $447,152 $367,040 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.3% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,260 $1,220 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 59864? 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 59864 (Ronan, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $447,152
Monthly Rent $1,260
Price-to-Rent 29.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
13.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59864

Population: 7,399

💰 Median Household Income
$46,518
This area
$46,518
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.3%
This area
33.3%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.0%
This area
28.0%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.4 years
This area
36.4 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.0%
This area
13.0%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.7%
Other/Mixed 48.6%
Asian 0.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
👶 Under 18
28.3%
This area
28.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.2%
This area
16.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.0%
This area
20.0%
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 59864

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
15.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,351 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Ronan High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,418 Per Student
B+ Above Average

K William Harvey Elem

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
401 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,817 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ronan Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
435 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,817 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 393 Off-Campus Students
C+
Salish Kootenai College
648 students · 4.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it like being a landlord in Ronan, MT?

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

Is the tenant base reliable in Ronan, MT?

The tenant pool in Ronan, MT is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,260/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How do home values compare in Ronan, MT?

Typical homes in Ronan, MT go for around $447K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

Does house hacking work in Ronan, MT?

Ronan, MT offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,260/mo rent level.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Ronan, MT?

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

You know 59864 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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