Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Cascade County, Montana
Cascade County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,308 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $939 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $25.15 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,308
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 14% less than in Montana
- Typical rent
- $939
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 13% less than in Montana
- Wage needed
- $25.15
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $52,320 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 44%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- About the same as in Montana
Only here
Renting in Cascade County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Judith Basin County has the lowest typical rent ($495), 47% below the $939 in Cascade County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Cascade County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Cascade County was $1,428 a month in September 2026: 4% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $993 | $19.10 | $39,720 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,000 | $19.23 | $40,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,308 | $25.15 | $52,320 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,811 | $34.83 | $72,440 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,988 | $38.23 | $79,520 |
HUD area: Great Falls, MT MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 22 ZIP codes in Cascade County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,160 in 59401 to $1,960 in 59485. 16 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,308).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 59401 | Great Falls, MT | $870 | $890 | $1,160 | $1,610 | $1,840 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59404 | Chouteau County, MT | $1,180 | $1,190 | $1,550 | $2,150 | $2,360 |
| 59404 | Great Falls, MT | $1,180 | $1,190 | $1,550 | $2,150 | $2,360 |
| 59405 | Chouteau County, MT | $1,000 | $1,010 | $1,320 | $1,830 | $2,010 |
| 59405 | Great Falls, MT | $1,000 | $1,010 | $1,320 | $1,830 | $2,010 |
| 59412 | Great Falls, MT | $930 | $930 | $1,220 | $1,690 | $1,860 |
| 59412 | Judith Basin County, MT | $930 | $930 | $1,220 | $1,690 | $1,860 |
| 59414 | Great Falls, MT | $970 | $980 | $1,280 | $1,770 | $1,950 |
| 59421 | Great Falls, MT | $1,010 | $1,040 | $1,350 | $1,870 | $2,040 |
| 59421 | Lewis and Clark County, MT | $1,010 | $1,040 | $1,350 | $1,870 | $2,040 |
| 59443 | Great Falls, MT | $1,090 | $1,200 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,310 |
| 59443 | Teton County, MT | $1,090 | $1,200 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,310 |
| 59463 | Great Falls, MT | $990 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,810 | $1,990 |
| 59463 | Judith Basin County, MT | $990 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,810 | $1,990 |
| 59465 | Great Falls, MT | $990 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,810 | $1,990 |
| 59472 | Great Falls, MT | $1,020 | $1,020 | $1,340 | $1,860 | $2,040 |
| 59477 | Great Falls, MT | $970 | $1,050 | $1,330 | $1,840 | $1,990 |
| 59480 | Great Falls, MT | $990 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,810 | $2,000 |
| 59483 | Great Falls, MT | $1,110 | $1,130 | $1,470 | $2,040 | $2,230 |
| 59485 | Great Falls, MT | $1,490 | $1,500 | $1,960 | $2,710 | $2,980 |
| 59487 | Great Falls, MT | $960 | $1,120 | $1,260 | $1,750 | $1,960 |
| 59487 | Teton County, MT | $960 | $1,120 | $1,260 | $1,750 | $1,960 |
- 59401 · Great Falls, MT $1,160$1,610
- 59404 · Chouteau County, MT $1,550$2,150
- 59404 · Great Falls, MT $1,550$2,150
- 59405 · Chouteau County, MT $1,320$1,830
- 59405 · Great Falls, MT $1,320$1,830
- 59412 · Great Falls, MT $1,220$1,690
- 59412 · Judith Basin County, MT $1,220$1,690
- 59414 · Great Falls, MT $1,280$1,770
- 59421 · Great Falls, MT $1,350$1,870
- 59421 · Lewis and Clark County, MT $1,350$1,870
- 59443 · Great Falls, MT $1,440$1,990
- 59443 · Teton County, MT $1,440$1,990
- 59463 · Great Falls, MT $1,310$1,810
- 59463 · Judith Basin County, MT $1,310$1,810
- 59465 · Great Falls, MT $1,310$1,810
- 59472 · Great Falls, MT $1,340$1,860
- 59477 · Great Falls, MT $1,330$1,840
- 59480 · Great Falls, MT $1,310$1,810
- 59483 · Great Falls, MT $1,470$2,040
- 59485 · Great Falls, MT $1,960$2,710
- 59487 · Great Falls, MT $1,260$1,750
- 59487 · Teton County, MT $1,260$1,750
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Cascade County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in Montana, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
44%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
11,207 households rent in Cascade County
- Spend half or more of their income 19%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 56%
Compared with the state and the country
- Cascade 44%
- Montana 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Cascade County
HUD lists 30 properties with homes for low-income households in Cascade County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 11
- HUD-assisted
- 17
- public housing
- 5
1,673 homes in all; 1,665 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Parkdale 2 Public housing 501 15th St S, Great Falls 59405 200 low-income homes · Run by Great Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $429 a month · Average wait: 35 months · (406) 453-4311
- Parkdale 1 Public housing 1718 Chowen Springs Loop, Great Falls 59405 156 homes, 155 low-income · Run by Great Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $395 a month · Average wait: 11 months · (406) 453-4311
- Autumn Run Apartment Tax credit (LIHTC) 4101 Central Ave, Great Falls 59405 120 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · 2 bd: 80 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 1999 · For families
- Park Manor HUD-assisted 100 Central Ave, Great Falls 59401 103 low-income homes · For older adults · (406) 761-1444
- River Run Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Scattered Site, Great Falls 59405 96 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 80 · In service since 2016 · For families
- River Run Apartments HUD-assisted 715 3rd Ave NW, Great Falls 59404 96 low-income homes · For families · (406) 315-3510
- Parkview Apts HUD-assisted 624 5th Ave NW, Great Falls 59404 84 homes, 83 low-income · For families · (406) 453-7556
- Sunshine Village HUD-assisted 600 13th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 72 homes, 70 low-income · For older adults · (406) 452-7859
- Aspen Village HUD-assisted 3010 11th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 60 low-income homes · For families · (406) 453-7556
- Elmore Roberts Apartments HUD-assisted 6 6th St S, Great Falls 59401 60 homes, 59 low-income · For families · (406) 216-2422
- Soroptimist Village Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 2400 13th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 56 low-income homes · Studio: 26 · 1 bd: 30 · In service since 2014 · For older adults · (406) 453-9379
- Sunrise Courts Public housing 5113 Sunrise Ave, Great Falls 59405 50 low-income homes · Run by Great Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $597 a month · Average wait: 6 months · (406) 453-4311
- Yeoman Tynes/Russell Public housing 3313A 11th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 50 low-income homes · Run by Great Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $575 a month · Average wait: 30 months · Homes at several sites · (406) 453-4311
- Centennial Village HUD-assisted 700 4th Ave NW, Great Falls 59404 48 low-income homes · For families · (406) 771-1645
- The Portage HUD-assisted 1521 23rd Ave S, Great Falls 59405 48 homes, 47 low-income · For older adults · (651) 645-7271
- Cascade Ridge Senior Living Tax credit (LIHTC) 3001 15th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2012
- Franklin School Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 820 1st Ave SW, Great Falls 59404 40 low-income homes · 3 bd: 40 · In service since 2009 · For families · (406) 453-5095
- Rainbow House Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 626 13th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 40 low-income homes · Studio: 4 · 1 bd: 30 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 2012 · For older adults · (406) 761-6333
- Voyageur Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1630 Division Rd, Great Falls 59404 38 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2016 · For older adults
- Austin Hall Public housing 1622 3rd Ave N, Great Falls 59401 34 low-income homes · Run by Great Falls Housing Authority · Average payment: $347 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (406) 453-4311
- Rockcress Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 23rd ST S, Great Falls 59401 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2019
- Southwinds Estates HUD-assisted 1615 Oasis Ct, Great Falls 59405 24 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (800) 466-7722
- Golden Valley Homes HUD-assisted 300 Millard St S, Belt 59412 22 homes, 21 low-income · For older adults · (406) 799-7070
- Broadview Manor HUD-assisted 710 4th Ave NW, Great Falls 59404 20 low-income homes · For families · (406) 454-3907
- Quiet Day Manor HUD-assisted 215 4th Ave N, Cascade 59421 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (866) 940-8905
- Townsite / NHS Tax credit (LIHTC) 820 7th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 20 low-income homes · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 1996 · For families
- The Elmwoods HUD-assisted 609 4th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 18 low-income homes · For families · (406) 272-1813
- Meadow Lark Apartments HUD-assisted 1701 1st St NW, Great Falls 59404 18 homes, 17 low-income · For people with disabilities · (800) 466-7722
- Holland Park Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 600 Holland Ct, Great Falls 59404 8 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1996
- Cascade Ridge Residences II Tax credit (LIHTC) 3001 15th Ave S, Great Falls 59405 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2016 · For older adults
3 properties have two programs at the same address and appear once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Cascade County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Cascade County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $19,150 | $31,850 | $51,000 |
| 2 people | $21,850 | $36,400 | $58,250 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $40,950 | $65,550 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $45,500 | $72,800 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $49,150 | $78,650 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $52,800 | $84,450 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $56,450 | $90,300 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $60,100 | $96,100 |
Area median income: $89,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Great Falls, MT MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $894 – $1,092
- 1 bedroom $900 – $1,100
- 2 bedrooms $1,177 – $1,439
- 3 bedrooms $1,630 – $1,992
- 4 bedrooms $1,789 – $2,187
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Great Falls Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 265 vouchers · 489 public housing units (406) 453-4311 Great Falls Housing Authority: gfha@gfhousing.org
Housing agencies in Montana Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Montana
What Montana law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Mont. Code Ann. §70-24-422(2)
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 15 days
- Mont. Code Ann. §70-26-109
- Only a court order can remove youMont. Code Ann. §70-24-428
- Protection from retaliationMont. Code Ann. §70-24-431(1)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Cascade County
These HUD-approved agencies have offices in Cascade County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Montana Homeownership Network DBA Neighborworks Montana
509 1st Ave S, Great Falls
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
-
Neighborworks Great Falls
509 1st Ave S, Great Falls
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 9 more
-
Rural Dynamics, Inc. DBA CCCS of MT
2 5th St N, Great Falls
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 4 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Cascade County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Montana, the average home bill was $108 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,616
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,308
- Security deposit
- $1,308
- Total
- $2,616
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Cascade County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $993; 1 bedroom: $1,000; 2 bedrooms: $1,308; 3 bedrooms: $1,811; 4 bedrooms: $1,988. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Cascade County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,308) without spending more than 30% of income takes $25.15 an hour full time, or $52,320 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Cascade County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $45,500 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Cascade County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,177 and $1,439 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Cascade County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,160 in 59401 to $1,960 in 59485. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Cascade County?
HUD lists 30 properties with homes for low-income households in Cascade County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Cascade County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Cascade County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in Montana, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).