Living in Hays, Montana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hays · Census data 2020–2024
Hays has 1,009 residents with a median age of 37.3. The median household income is $52,250 (28% lower than the Montana median), the median home value is $59,200, the median rent is $625/month.
Hays is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Hays at a glance
- Population
- 1,009
- Median age
- 37.3State: 40.4
- Median household income
- $52,250State: $72,509
- Median home value
- $59,200State: $375,800
- Median rent
- $625/moState: $1,081
- Homeowners
- 49.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.6%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Hays a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 84% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the Montana median; unemployment of 21.1%; a poverty rate of 23.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Hays
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hays the median home value is $59,200, 82% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, which is 10.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay — a month in housing costs.
Hays median household income
The median household income in Hays is $52,250 and the income per person is $22,457. 23.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Montana: 11.5%).
Housing in Hays: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 295
- Owner-occupied
- 49.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.8%
- Vacant
- 11.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 3.88
Hays demographics
- Population
- 1,009
- Median age
- 37.3
- Under 18
- 26.9%
- 65 and older
- 11.3%
- Households
- 260
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 10.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hays ›
Education in Hays
15.6% of adults 25 and older in Hays have a bachelor's degree or higher (Montana: 35.2%), and 0.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Hays
- Unemployment rate
- 21.1%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 10.9%
- Drive alone
- 54.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.1%
Hays vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hays | 1,009 | $52,250 | $59,200 | $625 |
| Fort Belknap Agency | 1,227 | $46,071 | $72,700 | $368 |
| Dodson | 153 | $40,804 | $45,200 | — |
| Harlem | 822 | $82,596 | $100,800 | $824 |
| Winifred | 263 | $78,393 | $120,000 | $529 |
| Chinook | 1,353 | $61,750 | $214,700 | $763 |
More for people moving to Hays
Hays ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Hays: FAQ
What is the median household income in Hays, MT?
The median household income in Hays is $52,250, 28% lower than the Montana median of $72,509 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Hays?
The median home value in Hays is $59,200, compared with $375,800 in Montana.
How much is rent in Hays?
The median gross rent in Hays is $625 per month, about 10.9% of household income.
Is Hays, MT a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 84% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the Montana median; unemployment of 21.1%; a poverty rate of 23.7%.
What is the median age in Hays?
The median age in Hays is 37.3 years (Montana: 40.4).
How long is the commute in Hays?
The average commute to work in Hays is 16 minutes; 10.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Hays?
The unemployment rate in Hays is 21.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Hays?
15.6% of adults in Hays have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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