Plains, MT

Full City Profile · Montana · Lake County County

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,077 Population 1,737/sq mi density
$24,661 Median Income $43,265 per capita
$209,200 Home Value $449,605 Zillow
$782 Median Rent 46.0% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$24,661 median income, 3.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$209,200 home value, $782/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Housing Overview

Median Home Value
$209,200
26% below
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$782/mo
33% below
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
50.4%
23% below US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
710
Median year built: 1974

Home Value by Source

Census Median
$209,200
Zillow (ZHVI)
$449,605
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price

Ownership vs. Renting

50.4%
Owner-Occupied
49.6%
Renter-Occupied
50%
50%
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied

Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)

Studio
$988/mo
1 Bedroom
$1,076/mo
2 Bedroom
$1,336/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,789/mo
4 Bedroom
$2,113/mo
Census median rent: $782/mo

Affordability & Housing Stock

Rent Burden
46.0%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
48% above US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1974
Average age of housing stock: 52 years
Homeownership Rate
50.4%

Complete Housing Data

Home Values

Census Median Value$209,200
Zillow Home Value (ZHVI)$449,605

Rent

Census Median Rent$782
FMR Studio$988
FMR 1-Bedroom$1,076
FMR 2-Bedroom$1,336
FMR 3-Bedroom$1,789
FMR 4-Bedroom$2,113

Market

Ownership & Stock

Owner-Occupied50.4%
Renter-Occupied49.6%
Homeownership Rate50.4%
Total Housing Units710
Median Year Built1974
Rent Burden46.0%