Rents are 2% below what Butte's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,443 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Butte is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Butte.
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Who lives here
Butte, MT is majority owner-occupied, 28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Butte, MT has changed in 5 years
Rent in Butte, MT has increased 18.5% since 2023, going from about $1,218 per month to roughly $1,443 today. Headcount in the area went from 34,368 to 35,052 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.0% change. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Butte, MT reflects that arc in its own way.
Discussions about Butte
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Can you afford rent in Butte on your salary?
At $1,443/mo, how Butte rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Butte rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Butte. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Butte
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Butte is $1,443/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,920/mo.
At 24% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Butte ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Butte?
Is rent going up or down in Butte?
How does Butte rent compare to other cities in Montana?
At $1,443/mo, rent takes ~24% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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