People in these Montana counties spend most of their paycheck on housing

Arina P Habich // Shutterstock

Counties in Montana where people spend most of their paycheck on housing

It's no secret that many Americans are forgoing homeownership in favor of renting. In 2020, renters in the U.S. occupied 43 million housing units.

The Stacker team looked at data from a United States Census survey that revealed an estimated 43,378,800 renter-occupied homes in the United States as of 2017, which makes up 36.1% of all households in the country. In 2019, renting was more affordable than buying a median-priced home in 59% of the counties; in 2021, the opposite was true: Owning was more affordable than renting in 63% of U.S. counties.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Montana where people spend the highest percent of income on rent using data from the U.S. Census Bureau . Of course, saving money by owning a home is unattainable for many Americans who don't have savings that could cover a down payment, those who are denied a mortgage, or both. Keep reading to see where in your home state most of people's take-home pay goes to their monthly rent.

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Leonard J. DeFrancisci // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Big Horn County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 12.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 61.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 17.7%
- Total occupied households: 3,609
- Median household income: $49,859
- Median monthly housing cost: $532

BigDaveMT // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Wibaux County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 12.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 67.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 14.9%
- Total occupied households: 498
- Median household income: $53,958
- Median monthly housing cost: $580

Mike Cline // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Golden Valley County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 12.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.5%
- Total occupied households: 351
- Median household income: $43,875
- Median monthly housing cost: $473

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Granite County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 59.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 19.3%
- Total occupied households: 1,308
- Median household income: $49,881
- Median monthly housing cost: $547

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Judith Basin County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.7%
- Total occupied households: 906
- Median household income: $43,661
- Median monthly housing cost: $484

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#45. McCone County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.4%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 20.3%
- Total occupied households: 723
- Median household income: $49,701
- Median monthly housing cost: $553

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Toole County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 17.7%
- Total occupied households: 1,867
- Median household income: $50,721
- Median monthly housing cost: $569

Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Richland County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 61.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 17.6%
- Total occupied households: 4,535
- Median household income: $67,205
- Median monthly housing cost: $759

J.B. Chandler // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Powder River County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 15.7%
- Total occupied households: 737
- Median household income: $54,427
- Median monthly housing cost: $618

J.B. Chandler // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Garfield County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 63.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 17.4%
- Total occupied households: 438
- Median household income: $42,000
- Median monthly housing cost: $484

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Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Sheridan County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 13.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 58.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.4%
- Total occupied households: 1,639
- Median household income: $55,521
- Median monthly housing cost: $645

Montanabw // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Broadwater County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.5%
- Total occupied households: 2,364
- Median household income: $60,594
- Median monthly housing cost: $707

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Glacier County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.2%
- Total occupied households: 4,163
- Median household income: $36,045
- Median monthly housing cost: $421

J.B. Chandler // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Blaine County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.8%
- Total occupied households: 2,366
- Median household income: $41,279
- Median monthly housing cost: $483

J.B. Chandler // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Chouteau County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 16.7%
- Total occupied households: 2,274
- Median household income: $42,298
- Median monthly housing cost: $495

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM // Flickr

#35. Carter County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.0%
- Total occupied households: 628
- Median household income: $48,000
- Median monthly housing cost: $568

Publichall // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Valley County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 57.3%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 17.4%
- Total occupied households: 3,386
- Median household income: $53,162
- Median monthly housing cost: $630

Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Dawson County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 18.6%
- Total occupied households: 3,930
- Median household income: $58,596
- Median monthly housing cost: $700

Jimmy Emerson, DVM // Flickr

#32. Liberty County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.4%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 14.4%
- Total occupied households: 895
- Median household income: $44,875
- Median monthly housing cost: $537

Sam Beebe // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Powell County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.4%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 16.3%
- Total occupied households: 2,426
- Median household income: $54,667
- Median monthly housing cost: $655

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J.B. Chandler // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Petroleum County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 14.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 13.7%
- Total occupied households: 204
- Median household income: $51,250
- Median monthly housing cost: $629

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Fergus County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 15.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.9%
- Total occupied households: 4,912
- Median household income: $50,540
- Median monthly housing cost: $642

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Wheatland County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 15.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 19.1%
- Total occupied households: 792
- Median household income: $39,655
- Median monthly housing cost: $518

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Pondera County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 15.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 18.5%
- Total occupied households: 2,103
- Median household income: $51,151
- Median monthly housing cost: $670

Robstutz // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Jefferson County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 15.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 57.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.4%
- Total occupied households: 4,484
- Median household income: $69,646
- Median monthly housing cost: $913

J.B. Chandler // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Hill County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 15.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.5%
- Total occupied households: 6,369
- Median household income: $49,321
- Median monthly housing cost: $649

Ltvine // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Mineral County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.9%
- Total occupied households: 1,786
- Median household income: $41,705
- Median monthly housing cost: $564

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Deer Lodge County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.3%
- Total occupied households: 3,903
- Median household income: $41,820
- Median monthly housing cost: $568

Jasperdo // Flickr

#22. Sweet Grass County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 60.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 17.8%
- Total occupied households: 1,566
- Median household income: $49,886
- Median monthly housing cost: $678

Mike Cline // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Meagher County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 41.3%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.8%
- Total occupied households: 702
- Median household income: $46,607
- Median monthly housing cost: $635

JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Sanders County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.4%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.1%
- Total occupied households: 5,036
- Median household income: $40,823
- Median monthly housing cost: $559

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Teton County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.6%
- Total occupied households: 2,464
- Median household income: $55,000
- Median monthly housing cost: $756

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Madison County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.8%
- Total occupied households: 3,570
- Median household income: $54,107
- Median monthly housing cost: $748

J. Stephen Conn // Flickr

#17. Stillwater County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 58.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.3%
- Total occupied households: 3,761
- Median household income: $64,645
- Median monthly housing cost: $894

Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Carbon County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.2%
- Total occupied households: 4,524
- Median household income: $58,707
- Median monthly housing cost: $816

Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Treasure County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 16.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.1%
- Total occupied households: 351
- Median household income: $43,047
- Median monthly housing cost: $600

dave_mcmt // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Custer County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.3%
- Total occupied households: 4,903
- Median household income: $52,965
- Median monthly housing cost: $761

Christopher Boswell // Shutterstock

#13. Silver Bow County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.2%
- Total occupied households: 14,960
- Median household income: $45,718
- Median monthly housing cost: $677

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Beaverhead County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 30.6%
- Total occupied households: 3,992
- Median household income: $43,201
- Median monthly housing cost: $643

Montanabw // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Lake County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.1%
- Total occupied households: 11,802
- Median household income: $48,829
- Median monthly housing cost: $734

Montanabw // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lewis and Clark County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.3%
- Total occupied households: 27,893
- Median household income: $65,791
- Median monthly housing cost: $989

Itsa Ortiz // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Ravalli County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 43.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 32.0%
- Total occupied households: 17,354
- Median household income: $53,054
- Median monthly housing cost: $862

David Coats // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Park County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.7%
- Total occupied households: 7,782
- Median household income: $53,068
- Median monthly housing cost: $872

Montanabw // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Cascade County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.3%
- Total occupied households: 34,329
- Median household income: $49,913
- Median monthly housing cost: $821

Sara Goth // Wikicommons

#6. Yellowstone County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 47.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 28.5%
- Total occupied households: 66,385
- Median household income: $61,264
- Median monthly housing cost: $1,015

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Musselshell County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 43.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.5%
- Total occupied households: 2,181
- Median household income: $43,274
- Median monthly housing cost: $717

Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Flathead County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 28.8%
- Total occupied households: 38,773
- Median household income: $56,182
- Median monthly housing cost: $937

Prizrak 2084//Wikicommons

#3. Missoula County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 40.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 33.2%
- Total occupied households: 49,313
- Median household income: $54,062
- Median monthly housing cost: $939

USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Lincoln County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 31.5%
- Total occupied households: 8,122
- Median household income: $40,140
- Median monthly housing cost: $704

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#1. Gallatin County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 43.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 32.7%
- Total occupied households: 43,777
- Median household income: $66,397
- Median monthly housing cost: $1,192