Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Hungry Horse?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Hungry Horse, you need to earn at least $38,400/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $38,750, which means the typical resident is $350 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 891

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$672	$2,240	$26,880	$-11,870
1 Bedroom	$797	$2,657	$31,880	$-6,870
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$960	$3,200	$38,400	$-350
3 Bedroom	$1,171	$3,903	$46,840	+$8,090
4 Bedroom	$1,440	$4,800	$57,600	+$18,850

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Hungry Horse's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$38,750

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$38,400

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$350

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.7%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Hungry Horse

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Hungry Horse's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$969

Studio

$672/mo

1 BR

$797/mo

2 BR

$960/mo

3 BR

$1,171/mo

4 BR

$1,440/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Hungry Horse.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Hungry Horse's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Hungry Horse

Hungry Horse is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $350. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($797/month) or studio ($672/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Hungry Horse pushes the required income to $46,840.

For comfortable living in Hungry Horse without financial stress, target a household income of at least $57,600 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Montana's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Hungry Horse, Montana.

With a total population of 891, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 325 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $38,400 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

325

Active civilian employees in Hungry Horse

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Hungry Horse

What salary do I need to live in Hungry Horse, Montana?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Hungry Horse under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $38,400. The median household income in Hungry Horse is $38,750.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Hungry Horse on $38,750?

The affordability verdict for Hungry Horse is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.7%, meaning median earners have a $350 surplus.

What is the average rent in Hungry Horse compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Hungry Horse is $797/month. With a median household income of $38,750, residents spend approximately 29.7% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Hungry Horse?

A studio in Hungry Horse rents for approximately $672/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $26,880 to afford this.

Is Hungry Horse considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $350 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Hungry Horse is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $38,400 to the local median household income.

How Hungry Horse Compares

Other cities in Montana with salary requirements