Cost to Own
United States › Montana › Dawson County › West Glendive Population 1,968 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 $653 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Dawson County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in West Glendive, Montana

A $180,000 home here costs

$1,635

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 $70,000 a year.

P&I 60%Tax 15%Insurance 4%Utilities 12%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $981. The real number is $653 higher every month, 67% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Dawson County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Small-place caveat: the Census publishes these figures for West Glendive from a five-year rolling sample, and with about 1,968 residents that sample is small. The median home value here carries a much wider margin of error than a big-city figure does, so treat it as indicative rather than exact. The Dawson County figures are drawn from a far larger sample if you want a steadier number.

West Glendive median: $179,700
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, $144,000 borrowed $981
Property tax1.605% effective rate for West Glendive itself $241
Homeowners insuranceMontana averages $1,471/yr (NAIC), or 0.413% of home value $62
Electricity15.57ยข/kWh, Montana residential average, EIA $133
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $150
Total monthly $1,635

West Glendive against Dawson County and Montana

MeasureWest GlendiveDawson County
Median home value$179,700$187,400
Median property tax$2,884$2,199
Effective tax rate1.605%1.173%
Median gross rent$794$823
Population1,9688,874

The weather behind that power bill

West Glendive sits in Dawson County, which averages a high of 87.7°F in its hottest month and a low of 9.2°F in its coldest, with 14.89" of precipitation a year and 48% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 751 cooling and 7,417 heating degree days, which is what sets the $133 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Dawson County

Full Dawson County cost breakdown · Every county in Montana

Talk to someone who works this market

These are West Glendive 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 West Glendive every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

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

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in West Glendive?

A $180,000 home in West Glendive, Montana costs approximately $1,635 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $981 principal and interest, $241 property tax, $62 homeowners insurance, $201 utilities and $150 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in West Glendive?

West Glendive has an effective property tax rate of 1.605%, based on a median home value of $179,700 and median real estate taxes of $2,884. That is higher than the Dawson County average of 1.173%.

What is the average home price in West Glendive?

The median owner-occupied home value in West Glendive, Montana is $179,700, against $187,400 across Dawson County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Glendive?

Median gross rent in West Glendive is $794 a month, against $1,635 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 West Glendive?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in West Glendive, Montana at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $70,000 a year. That covers the full $1,635 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for West Glendive, 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