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Cost of homeownership in Pondera County, Montana

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 5,987.

Median home value
$172,000
Median property tax
$1,680
Monthly owner cost
$1,277
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
14.2%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in Pondera County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$1,680
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$1,402
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$1,720
  • Total$6,302/yr · $525/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$6,302
/ year

Rent vs. buy in Pondera County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Home price trend in Montana

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. Montana average
Home value below state average.
Property tax below state average.
Homeownership
66.7%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$59,861

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in Pondera County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so Montana state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

Montana: 30%+ cost burdened
37.2%
301,420 households surveyed
Montana: severely burdened (50%+)
16.5%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 36.2%
Renter 30%+: 25.6%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in Pondera County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for Montana: $95,700. Income limits define 80% AMI at $76,550 and 50% AMI at $47,850.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Pondera County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in Pondera County is around $6,302 ($525 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in Pondera County?

Median annual property tax is $1,680 on the county's median home value of $172,000 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pondera County?

On a monthly cash-flow basis, the typical owner-cost-with-mortgage in Pondera County runs about 63% above the county's median rent. That comparison doesn't account for the opportunity cost on your down payment, maintenance reserve, transaction costs, or how long you plan to stay — use the calculator below to model your specific break-even year against your time horizon.

What is the flood risk in Pondera County?

FEMA NFIP data for Pondera County is pending.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.