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City Report · MT

Butte

Pop. 35,052·8th most expensive in Montana·Butte rents are up 13.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,410/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.7%
Month-over-Month
+7.3%
vs US Median
-$552
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Butte · $1,410
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
31/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% above what Butte's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,410/mo
Expected by trend
$1,289/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Butte's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$940
1 BR
$1,080
2 BR
$1,370
3 BR
$1,920
4 BR+
$2,190
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,370/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,410 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,920/yr
At $1,410/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.7% YoY, +7.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Butte, MT is majority owner-occupied, 28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
35,052
Median age
40.6
Renters
29.3%
Age distribution
20.2%
23.4%
23.4%
13.6%
19.5%
Under 1820.2%
18–3423.4%
35–5423.4%
55–6413.6%
65+19.5%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
90.9%
White90.9%
Hispanic4.7%
Other4%
Education (25+)
32.2%
33.7%
28.1%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma32.2%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+28.1%
Housing tenure
70.7%
29.3%
Owner70.7%
Renter29.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Butte, MT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,119 → $1,410
up 26.0%
Population
34,368 → 35,052
up 2.0%
Renter share
30.2% → 29.3%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
28.1% → 28.1%
+0.0 pts

Rent in Butte, MT has increased 26.0% since 2023, going from about $1,119 per month to roughly $1,410 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.

Community

Discussions about Butte

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View Butte rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Butte on your salary?

At $1,410/mo, how Butte rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Butte rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Butte. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Butte

About renting in Butte, MT

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Butte is $1,410/mo as of August 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 13.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Butte an affordable city for renters?

Butte is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,410/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Butte falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Butte?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,410/mo in Butte.

Is rent going up or down in Butte?

Rent in Butte has increased 13.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Butte rent compare to other cities in Montana?

Butte is one of the more affordable cities in Montana for rent, ranking #8 out of 12 tracked cities at $1,410/mo.

What percentage of Butte residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.3% of Butte households are renters, while 70.7% are owner-occupied. Butte leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Butte rent compare to the national average?

Butte's median rent of $1,410/mo is $552 (28%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Montana, it ranks #8 out of 12 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,410/mo, rent takes ~24% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Butte 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Butte affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Butte, MT

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