Montana · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Musselshell County, MT

Prices around Musselshell County, MT run 5.4% below the U.S. average (BEA, Montana). The typical household there earns $58,920 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,344 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $53,760 a year.

Musselshell County, MT at a glance

Median household income

$58,920$4,910 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,344HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)94.6-5.4% · BEA, Montana
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential MT
Population5,152Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Musselshell County, MT?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,344Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,473At 30% of $58,920
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Musselshell County, MT? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Musselshell County, MT, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Musselshell County, MT, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,007$12,084$40,28020.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,226$14,712$49,04025%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,344$16,128$53,76027.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,869$22,428$74,76038.1%
4-Bedroom Home$2,255$27,060$90,20045.9%

Rent in Musselshell County, MT, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Musselshell County, MT

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $58,920 a year ($4,910 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,455/moRent ($1,344 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,473/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$982/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $58,920 leaves after Montana taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Montana tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$58,920
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$58,920
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$47,510After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,959Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,827Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,890 / yr
Montana state income tax$2,013 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,507 / yr

Living in Musselshell County, MT: common questions

What is the median household income in Musselshell County, MT?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Musselshell County, MT is $58,920 per year (approximately $4,910 per month).

What is the average rent in Musselshell County, MT?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,007 for a studio, $1,226 for one bedroom, $1,344 for two, $1,869 for three and $2,255 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Musselshell County, MT expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5.4% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Montana is 94.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Musselshell County, MT?

To keep a $1,344 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $53,760 a year, or $4,480 a month. That is 91% of what the typical household in Musselshell County, MT earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Musselshell County, MT?

On the local median income of $58,920 ($4,910 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,455 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,473 for everything else and $982 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,344 takes 55% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Musselshell County, MT?

Homes in Montana paid 15.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $136. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.