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City Report · MT

Whitefish

Pop. 8,749·1st most expensive in Montana·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,712/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.8%
Month-over-Month
+0.1%
vs US Median
+$747
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Whitefish · $2,712
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,712/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$108,000/yr
Local median income
$73,811/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Whitefish's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,390
1 BR
$1,450
2 BR
$1,900
3 BR
$2,530
4 BR+
$3,190
Research median
$1,900/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$32,544/yr
At $2,712/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.8% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Whitefish, MT is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 56.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,749
Median income
$73,811
Median age
44.4
Renters
38.3%
Age distribution
16.3%
19.2%
27.9%
13.2%
23.4%
Under 1816.3%
18–3419.2%
35–5427.9%
55–6413.2%
65+23.4%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
93.9%
White93.9%
Hispanic2.2%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
20.5%
19.9%
56.8%
No HS diploma2.8%
HS diploma20.5%
Some college19.9%
Bachelor's+56.8%
Housing tenure
61.7%
38.3%
Owner61.7%
Renter38.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Whitefish, MT has changed in 5 years

Income
$64,595 → $73,811
up 14.3%
Population
7,783 → 8,749
up 12.4%
Renter share
37.7% → 38.3%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
54.7% → 56.8%
+2.1 pts
Median age
40.4 → 44.4
+4.0 yrs

Median household income rose from $64,595 to $73,811 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.3% shift. The population has grown by 12.4% since 2021, moving from about 7,783 residents to roughly 8,749. College-educated residents now make up 56.8% of adults here, versus 54.7% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Whitefish

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

Can you afford rent in Whitefish on your salary?

At $2,712/mo, how Whitefish rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Whitefish rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Whitefish

About renting in Whitefish, MT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Whitefish is $2,712/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,390/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,900/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,530/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($73,811/yr), Whitefish ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Whitefish an affordable city for renters?

Whitefish is considered stretched for renters. At $2,712/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($73,811/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Whitefish significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Whitefish?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $108,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,712/mo in Whitefish. The local median household income is $73,811/yr, meaning the typical Whitefish household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Whitefish?

Rent in Whitefish has increased 4.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Whitefish rent compare to other cities in Montana?

Whitefish is one of the pricier cities in Montana for rent, ranking #1 out of 11 tracked cities at $2,712/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Whitefish?

Kalispell is nearby and more affordable at $1,852/mo, which is $860 less than Whitefish.

What percentage of Whitefish residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.3% of Whitefish households are renters, while 61.7% are owner-occupied. Whitefish leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Whitefish rent compare to the national average?

Whitefish's median rent of $2,712/mo is $747 (38%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Montana, it ranks #1 out of 11 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $2,712/mo, rent takes ~44% of Whitefish's median household income ($73,811/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Whitefish 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Whitefish affordability calculator →
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Public schools near Whitefish, MT

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