Montana’s housing market is the least affordable in the country. That’s according to data analysis by the National Association of Realtors.
According to data from Zillow’s Housing Index, average home prices have nearly doubled since the spring of 2020.
A National Association of Realtors analysis shows Montana has become the least affordable market in the country in that time, surpassing states like California and Idaho.
It compares average home prices to a state’s average income. Montana has the largest gap between the two.
The picture is not great for renters either. The Montana Budget and Policy Center found nearly a quarter of Montana renters spend more than half of their monthly income on rent.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates Montana needs more than 30,000 affordable rentals to meet demand.
The 2023 Montana Legislature passed a series of bills aimed at increasing housing supply. Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Housing Task Force last month released a series of policy recommendations for lawmakers to consider when they reconvene in January.
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MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Sam Lux, a Democrat running for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat. -
A spike in rent across Montana during the pandemic coincided with the rise of tenants unions in the state. These organizations of renters have sought solutions from property managers for rent hikes and maintenance backlogs, among other issues. Montana PBS reporter Matthew Standal joined MTPR’s Austin Amestoy with more. -
MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Russ Cleveland, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat. -
MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Ryan Busse, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat. -
MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy speaks with Sam Forstag, a Democrat running for Montana’s western district U.S. House seat. -
A property that once hosted a Missoula homeless shelter may one day support more than 200 new homes as part of the city’s ambitious redevelopment plan. -
Missoula’s white-hot housing market continued to cool in 2025. That’s according to a new report from local realtors. Housing affordability also improved, though it remains out of reach for many. -
Four Democrats competing for Montana’s western U.S. House seat met for their first public forum Tuesday. The candidates covered a wide range of topics, from housing costs to immigration policy. -
The Missoula City Council Monday approved sweeping new rules for residential development within the city. The major overhaul will allow developers to build more and larger apartment complexes, and loosen rules for how many housing units can sit on a single plot, among other changes. -
The state Board of Housing Wednesday announced nearly $40 million in federal tax benefits to build or rehabilitate affordable homes; The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its biannual season-setting meeting for big game species from elk to bison to mountain lions on December 4; Billings has a new representative in the state Legislature.
