City Report · MT

Kalispell

Pop. 28,504·4th most expensive in Montana·Kalispell rents have dropped 8.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,852/mo
Year-over-Year
-8.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
-$113
Stable (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Kalispell rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kalispell · $1,852
More affordable than 51% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
72/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Kalispell's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,852/mo
Expected by trend
$2,079/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kalispell's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,160
1 BR
$1,200
2 BR
$1,580
3 BR
$2,110
4 BR+
$2,650
Research median
$1,580/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,224/yr
At $1,852/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 8.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-8.9% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Kalispell, MT is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 34.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
28,504
Median income
$63,415
Median age
36.2
Renters
44.9%
Age distribution
23.8%
24.3%
22.8%
19.2%
Under 1823.8%
18–3424.3%
35–5422.8%
55–649.9%
65+19.2%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
89.8%
White89.8%
Hispanic5.4%
Asian1.4%
Other3.3%
Education (25+)
27.6%
33.9%
34.8%
No HS diploma3.7%
HS diploma27.6%
Some college33.9%
Bachelor's+34.8%
Housing tenure
55.1%
44.9%
Owner55.1%
Renter44.9%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Kalispell, MT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,917 → $1,852
down 3.4%
Income
$55,411 → $63,415
up 14.4%
Population
24,260 → 28,504
up 17.5%
Renter share
41.1% → 44.9%
+3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
30.6% → 34.8%
+4.2 pts
Median age
35.3 → 36.2
+0.9 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Kalispell, MT has declined by $65 per month, settling near $1,852 after starting the period at $1,917. Household income in the area moved from $55,411 to $63,415 across the same window, up 14.4% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 17.8 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 24,260 to 28,504 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.5% change. About 44.9% of households rent today, against 41.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 30.6% to 34.8%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Kalispell, MT look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Kalispell

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Kalispell on your salary?

At $1,852/mo, how Kalispell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kalispell rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kalispell

About renting in Kalispell, MT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kalispell is $1,852/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,160/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,580/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,110/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($63,415/yr), Kalispell ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 8.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kalispell an affordable city for renters?

Kalispell is considered moderate for renters. At $1,852/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($63,415/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kalispell slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Kalispell?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,852/mo in Kalispell. The local median household income is $63,415/yr, meaning the typical Kalispell household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kalispell?

Rent in Kalispell has decreased 8.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Kalispell rent compare to other cities in Montana?

Kalispell is one of the pricier cities in Montana for rent, ranking #4 out of 11 tracked cities at $1,852/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kalispell?

Missoula is nearby and more affordable at $1,550/mo, which is $302 less than Kalispell.

What percentage of Kalispell residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.9% of Kalispell households are renters, while 55.1% are owner-occupied. Kalispell leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kalispell rent compare to the national average?

Kalispell's median rent of $1,852/mo is $113 (6%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Montana, it ranks #4 out of 11 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $1,852/mo, rent takes ~35% of Kalispell's median household income ($63,415/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kalispell 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Kalispell affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Kalispell
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kalispell, MT

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Kalispell.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.