Housing costs continue to strain renters, report finds
- May 19
- 2 min read
The Montana Budget & Policy Center released an interactive map that provides county-level data on Montana residents’ ability to afford rental housing.
“Housing is an essential factor in whether or not Montanans have the resources they need to live healthy lives and whether neighborhoods prosper or fall behind,” said Aubrey Godbey, housing policy analyst for Montana Budget & Policy Center. “However, many of Prairie County renters are facing rental costs they cannot afford.”
Prairie County-specific data
Sixteen percent of residents rent their homes, or 88 households; and
Someone working a minimum-wage job in Prairie County must work 110 hours each week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
Rising housing costs place a heavier burden on renters, who tend to earn less than homeowners. In Prairie County, the median income for renters is $44,643, while the median homeowner income is $52,298 annually. Median income is the midpoint of a specific area’s income distribution, in this case, Prairie County.
“We hope this data will help community members, advocates, and policymakers consider policy solutions that can support renters and increase the supply and availability of affordable and attainable housing for Montanans,” said Godbey.
Statewide numbers include:
Number of renter households: 141,459;
Percent of households that rent: 31%;
Renters with cost burden: 45%; and
Median income for renter households: $48,192.
The full housing profile for Prairie County can be found at montanabudget.org.
Montana Budget & Policy Center is a nonprofit organization providing in-depth research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues. MBPC’s focus is publishing credible, timely, and easy-to-understand reports on the fiscal policies that most affect Montanans living on low and moderate incomes. To learn more about MBPC, visit our website montanabudget.org.
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