Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,798$4,400 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Hill County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Hill County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Hill County, MT. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $980 | $11,760 | $39,200 | 22.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,069 | $12,828 | $42,760 | 24.3% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,307 | $15,684 | $52,280 | 29.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,724 | $20,688 | $68,960 | 39.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,731 | $20,772 | $69,240 | 39.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Hill County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $52,798/year ($4,400/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Montana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Montana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hill County, MT
What is the median household income in Hill County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hill County, MT is $52,798 per year (approximately $4,400 per month).
What is the average rent in Hill County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Hill County, MT are $980 for a studio, $1,069 for 1 bedroom, $1,307 for 2 bedrooms, $1,724 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,731 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Hill County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Hill County, MT is 94.6 (5.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Hill County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,307/month) in Hill County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $52,280 per year ($4,357 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Hill County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,798/year ($4,400/month) in Hill County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,200/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,320/month to discretionary spending, and $880/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Hill County, MT?
Residential electricity rates in Montana average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.