Cost to Own
United States › Montana › Flathead County › Kalispell Population 26,830 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $907 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Flathead County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Kalispell, Montana

A $381,000 home here costs

$2,984

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $128,000 a year.

P&I 70%Tax 9%Insurance 4%Utilities 7%Upkeep 11%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $2,077. The real number is $907 higher every month, 44% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Flathead County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Kalispell median: $381,400
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
MT average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $304,800 borrowed $2,077
Property tax0.811% effective rate for Kalispell itself $257
Homeowners insuranceMontana averages $1,471/yr (NAIC), or 0.413% of home value $131
Electricity15.57ยข/kWh, Montana residential average, EIA $133
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $318
Total monthly $2,984

Kalispell against Flathead County and Montana

MeasureKalispellFlathead County
Median home value$381,400$467,700
Median property tax$3,093$2,867
Effective tax rate0.811%0.613%
Median gross rent$1,019$1,094
Population26,830108,445

The weather behind that power bill

Kalispell sits in Flathead County, which averages a high of 82.3°F in its hottest month and a low of 19.8°F in its coldest, with 34.62" of precipitation a year and 32% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 293 cooling and 7,787 heating degree days, which is what sets the $133 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Flathead County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Flathead County

Full Flathead County cost breakdown · Every county in Montana

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Kalispell averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Kalispell every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Kalispell I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Kalispell?

A $381,000 home in Kalispell, Montana costs approximately $2,984 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $2,077 principal and interest, $257 property tax, $131 homeowners insurance, $201 utilities and $318 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Kalispell?

Kalispell has an effective property tax rate of 0.811%, based on a median home value of $381,400 and median real estate taxes of $3,093. That is higher than the Flathead County average of 0.613%.

What is the average home price in Kalispell?

The median owner-occupied home value in Kalispell, Montana is $381,400, against $467,700 across Flathead County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kalispell?

Median gross rent in Kalispell is $1,019 a month, against $2,984 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Kalispell?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Kalispell, Montana at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $128,000 a year. That covers the full $2,984 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Kalispell, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Montana.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology