In Lewistown, a typical home is worth $198,400 and typical rent is $1,007 a month. Compared with all of Fergus County, typical household income is 23% lower, the typical home value is 16% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $196,165 to $284,883.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Lewistown is in Fergus County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Fergus County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Lewistown has the lowest typical household income of the 26 cities in Montana with more than 5,000 people: $48,750.
2
Lewistown has the lowest typical home value of the 26 cities in Montana with more than 5,000 people: $198,400.
3
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Lewistown rose 5.4%; in Montana, it rose 2%.
4
Nearby, in Havre, the typical rent is $844: 16% less than in Lewistown ($1,007).
5
56% of households in Lewistown own their home, against 63% in Fergus County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Lewistown
What homes there are in Lewistown, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
United States
Kind of home: Lewistown and its comparisons
Measure
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
United States
Detached house
64%
74%
69%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
7%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
17%
9%
10%
19%
Mobile home
13%
13%
9%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Lewistown, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Fergus County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
United States
Year built: Lewistown and its comparisons
Measure
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
United States
Before 1960
56%
45%
26%
26%
1960–1979
24%
22%
23%
24%
1980–1999
10%
18%
23%
25%
2000–2009
5%
8%
14%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
7%
14%
11%
There are fewer big homes in Lewistown than in Fergus County: 48% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 58%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K21%
$100K–$200K30%
$200K–$300K25%
$300K–$500K22%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Lewistown and its comparisons
Measure
Lewistown
Under $100K
21%
$100K–$200K
30%
$200K–$300K
25%
$300K–$500K
22%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA limit for Fergus County is high ($541,287): at least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Lewistown are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50019%
$500–$99931%
$1,000–$1,49935%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,450
$1,500–$1,99915%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Lewistown and its comparisons
Measure
Lewistown
Under $500
19%
$500–$999
31%
$1,000–$1,499
35%
$1,500–$1,999
15%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
By rent, most homes in Lewistown cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,450): about 81%.
With a mortgage
$1,189 a month
Fergus County: $1,299 a month
Without a mortgage
$495 a month
Fergus County: $510 a month
Owners with a mortgage
54%
Fergus County: 46%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Lewistown is $1,189 a month, less than in Fergus County ($1,299); without one, $495.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Lewistown+85%
Fergus County+65%
Montana+63%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Lewistown+29%
Fergus County+26%
Montana+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Lewistown+26%
Fergus County+26%
Montana+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Lewistown and its comparisons
Measure
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
United States
Typical home value
+85%
+65%
+63%
+53%
Typical rent
+29%
+26%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+26%
+26%
+32%
+29%
The typical home value in Lewistown rose 85% since 2015–2019, more than in Fergus County (65%).
The typical rent in Lewistown rose 29% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Fergus County (26%).
To compare: typical income in Lewistown rose 26%; the home, +85%; the rent, +29%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Lewistown and its comparisons
Measure
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.3%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.03
2.12
2.37
2.53
Drive alone
73%
64%
71%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
7%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
14%
10%
5%
3%
Work from home
7%
17%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
under 10 minutes
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in Lewistown has 2.03 people on average, about the same as in Fergus County (2.12).
Many here get to work on foot or by bike: 14%, more than in Fergus County (10%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Lewistown?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Lewistown, worth $198,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 41% of the typical household income in Lewistown, which is $48,750 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $70,593 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Fergus County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Lewistown. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,944 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,647
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$194,806
Total interest
$280,281
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,350 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,138 a month
Tight
$1,138 to $1,463 a month
Hard
more than $1,463 a month
Your payment · 41%
Compared with the typical household income in Lewistown ($48,750 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,320
Property tax
$157
Home insurance
$83
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$88
You need at least $6,944 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,647; principal and interest $1,320.
The city and its county
Lewistown and Fergus County
Lewistown is in Fergus County, Montana. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Lewistown
Map of Fergus County, Montana, with Lewistown marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Lewistown
Fergus County
Lewistown's own numbers
Typical home value
$198,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,007
Typical yearly household income
$48,750
Households that own their home
56%
Effective property tax rate
0.95%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Fergus County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,450
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+77%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.4%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Fergus County.
A typical home in Lewistown is worth $198,400: 16% below the county and 47% below Montana. With the typical household income in Lewistown ($48,750 a year), a typical home costs 4.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Lewistown4.1 years
Fergus3.7 years
Montana5.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Fergus County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Fergus County rose 104% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Fergus County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Fergus County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.5% +4.5% 2016
2017: −0.2% −0.2% 2017
2018: +0.8% +0.8% 2018
2019: +5.2% +5.2% 2019
2020: +4.1% +4.1% 2020
2021: +14.1% +14.1% 2021
2022: +21.8% +21.8% 2022
2023: +11.5% +11.5% 2023
2024: +14.2% +14.2% 2024
2025: +0.1% +0.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Fergus County, Montana and the United States
Period
County
Montana
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.1%
+2.3%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+77%
+62%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+104%
+105%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Lewistown next to Fergus County, Montana and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Lewistown$198,400
Fergus$236,100
Montana$375,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Lewistown$1,007
Fergus$954
Montana$1,081
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Lewistown$48,750
Fergus$63,706
Montana$72,509
United States$80,734
See the full table
Lewistown next to Fergus County and Montana
Measure
Lewistown
Fergus County
Montana
U.S.
Typical home value
$198,400 ▼16% below the county
$236,100
$375,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,007 ▲6% above the county
$954
$1,081
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$48,750 ▼23% below the county
$63,706
$72,509
$80,734
Households that own their home
56% ▼7 points below the county
63%
69%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,875 ▲6% above the county
$1,769
$2,693
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.95% ▲0.2 points above the county
0.75%
0.72%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
47% ▲7 points above the county
40%
45%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Fergus County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lewistown
For a typical $198,400 home in Lewistown, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Lewistown's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,647a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,944
Cash to close
$12,896
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $88
Conventional, 5% down$1,611a month
Down payment
$9,920
Cash to close
$15,872
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $94
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,315a month
Down payment
$39,680
Cash to close
$45,632
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,498a month
Down payment
$29,760
Cash to close
$35,712
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lewistown
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,647
$6,944
$194,806
7.18%
FHA MIP · $88
$12,896
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,611
$9,920
$188,480
7.18%
PMI · $94
$15,872
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,315
$39,680
$158,720
7.18%
None
$45,632
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,498
$29,760
$168,640
8.18%
None
$35,712
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Lewistown is $1,007 a month: 6% above the county. In Lewistown, 47% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Fergus County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,450 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.88 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Fergus County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,108
$21.31
$44,320
1 bedroom
$1,108
$21.31
$44,320
2 bedrooms
$1,450
$27.88
$58,000
3 bedrooms
$1,995
$38.37
$79,800
4 bedrooms
$2,382
$45.81
$95,280
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Lewistown
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Lewistown is in ZIP code 59457.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,450: the same as the fair market rent for Fergus County.
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Lewistown, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
59457
$1,110
$1,110
$1,450
$2,000
$2,380
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
59457 $1,450$2,000
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Lewistown when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Lewistown. These are the largest.
Meadows603 Brassey St, Lewistown 5945735 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 2018 · For older adults(406) 538-8532
Ouellette Place405 St Joseph Dr, Lewistown 5945724 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2010 · For families(406) 535-6490
Snowy Mountain Homes134 Mount Pleasant St, Lewistown 594578 low-income homes · For older adults(406) 538-5130
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Fergus County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Lewistown or Fergus County. The ones below are statewide in Montana: they work in Lewistown the same as in the rest of the state.
Montana Board of Housing loan for up to 5% of the price (maximum $15,000) for the down payment, over 15 years with low payments and the same rate as the bond program's first mortgage; there is also a Plus version, 0% and deferred, for lower incomes.Offered by Montana Board of Housing (Montana Department of Commerce).
Montana Board of Housing certificate that lets you take 20% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage off your federal taxes, up to $2,000 a year, while you live in the home; for first-time buyers, with a loan that is not from another Board program.Offered by Montana Board of Housing (Montana Department of Commerce).
No legal help resource on our list is for Lewistown or Fergus County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Lewistown and all of Fergus County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Lewistown?
The typical home value in Lewistown is $198,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Fergus County it is $236,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Lewistown?
Typical rent in Lewistown is $1,007 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Fergus County is $1,450.
What is the FHA loan limit in Lewistown?
Lewistown uses the FHA limit for all of Fergus County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Lewistown?
The typical homeowner in Lewistown pays $1,875 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.95% of the home’s value; in Fergus County, the rate is 0.75%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Lewistown?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Fergus County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
