Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Billings, MT?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.9% of gross income.
Billings rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Montana cities have lower median rent than Billings, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Billings
View full rent data for Billings, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Billings, MT?
Median rent in Billings is $1,437 a month. A typical real estate agent in Montana earns about $57,710 a year, which makes that rent 29.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Billings?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Montana (~$57,710/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Billings's current median rent is $1,437/mo, which leaves a $6/mo buffer.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Billings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a real estate agent in Montana works roughly 51.8 hours a month to cover Billings's median rent of $1,437.
Where is rent cheaper than Billings for a real estate agent?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,435/mo), Butte ($1,410/mo), Livingston ($1,406/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.