Real Estate Investing in Sula, Montana (59871)

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

Ravalli County • Population: 277 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59871 (Sula, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 62.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• 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 Sula, MT (59871)?

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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 $416,819
Avg Monthly Rent $1,125
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,500
% Renters 24.0%

Market Analysis: 59871 Sula

Investors eyeing 59871 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $417K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Rent of $1,125/mo on a $417K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 59871 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader MT picture, 59871 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 59871 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 59871 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Sula:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,125/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$456K$391K$325K$259K$193K$127KJan 2013Oct 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59871 Compare?

Metric 59871 Sula Montana
Home Value $416,819 $416,819 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 3.9% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,125 $1,125 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 59871? 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 59871 (Sula, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $416,819
Monthly Rent $1,125
Price-to-Rent 30.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 6.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
62.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59871

Population: 277

💰 Median Household Income
$75,500
This area
$75,500
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.6%
This area
18.6%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
66.7 years
This area
66.7 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
62.7%
This area
62.7%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.4%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
👶 Under 18
2.3%
This area
2.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
63.2%
This area
63.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Sula, MT for real estate investors?

Investors tracking Sula, MT will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $417K median home values and $1,125/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

How high is vacancy risk in Sula, MT?

Vacancy in Sula, MT is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,125/mo.

What is the average monthly rent in Sula, MT?

The typical rental in Sula, MT commands about $1,125/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $417K purchase basis.

Can I house hack in Sula, MT?

The house hack math a challenging in Sula, MT. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,125/mo rents and $417K home values.

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

The landlord environment in Sula, MT is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

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