Living in Plains, Montana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Plains · Census data 2020–2024
Plains has 1,195 residents with a median age of 43.3. The median household income is $25,491 (65% lower than the Montana median), the median home value is $248,300, the median rent is $843/month.
Plains is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Plains at a glance
- Population
- 1,195
- Median age
- 43.3State: 40.4
- Median household income
- $25,491State: $72,509
- Median home value
- $248,300State: $375,800
- Median rent
- $843/moState: $1,081
- Homeowners
- 53.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.4%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Plains a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 65% lower than the Montana median; unemployment of 19.2%; a poverty rate of 31.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Plains
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Plains the median home value is $248,300, 25% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $843 per month, which is 46.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,332 a month in housing costs.
Plains median household income
The median household income in Plains is $25,491 and the income per person is $41,283. 31.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Montana: 11.5%).
Housing in Plains: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 707
- Owner-occupied
- 53.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 46.9%
- Vacant
- 10.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 1.83
Plains demographics
- Population
- 1,195
- Median age
- 43.3
- Under 18
- 11%
- 65 and older
- 21.9%
- Households
- 631
- Foreign-born
- 1.9%
- Veterans
- 8.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Plains ›
Education in Plains
13.4% of adults 25 and older in Plains have a bachelor's degree or higher (Montana: 35.2%), and 3.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Plains
- Unemployment rate
- 19.2%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 15.9%
- Drive alone
- 51.8%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 15.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 81.9%
Plains vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains | 1,195 | $25,491 | $248,300 | $843 |
| Weeksville | 147 | $64,333 | $782,300 | — |
| Hot Springs | 557 | $21,300 | $150,900 | $725 |
| St. Regis | 406 | $61,000 | $208,600 | $775 |
| Superior | 896 | $45,250 | $310,000 | $722 |
| Lonepine | 122 | $31,667 | $375,000 | $850 |
| Riverbend | 592 | $60,766 | $438,300 | $939 |
| Thompson Falls | 1,500 | $46,313 | $266,400 | $543 |
| Old Agency | 129 | $45,750 | — | $550 |
More for people moving to Plains
Plains ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Plains: FAQ
What is the median household income in Plains, MT?
The median household income in Plains is $25,491, 65% 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 Plains?
The median home value in Plains is $248,300, compared with $375,800 in Montana.
How much is rent in Plains?
The median gross rent in Plains is $843 per month, about 46.3% of household income.
Is Plains, MT a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 65% lower than the Montana median; unemployment of 19.2%; a poverty rate of 31.2%.
What is the median age in Plains?
The median age in Plains is 43.3 years (Montana: 40.4).
How long is the commute in Plains?
The average commute to work in Plains is 15 minutes; 15.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Plains?
The unemployment rate in Plains is 19.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Plains?
13.4% of adults in Plains 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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