Hamilton, Montana Short-Term Rental Market
Hamilton, MT STRs averaged $158/night at 42.9% occupancy in April 2026, with July peaking at 66.1% for outdoor-recreation travelers.
Quick Answer: Hamilton, Montana is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Montana Area market area is 57%. average monthly revenue in the Montana Area market area is $3,539. average daily rate in the Montana Area market area is $218. the top operator in the Montana Area market area is Evolve with 167 listings. market score is 53/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Montana Area regional market, which includes Hamilton. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Hamilton.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Hamilton, MT is the commercial hub of the Bitterroot Valley, a 96-mile corridor along US-93 south of Missoula, drawing visitors for fly-fishing, hiking, and access to the Bitterroot National Forest. In April 2026, the short-term rental market recorded an average daily rate of $158 and a 42.9% occupancy rate, producing RevPAR of $68. This April occupancy represents a 16.0% year-over-year increase, though it reflects an off-peak shoulder month. The active listing pool totals approximately 4,395 units by bedroom count: 1-bedroom (1,525), 2-bedroom (1,256), 3-bedroom (955), 4-bedroom (422), and 5-bedroom (237). Entire-place listings dominate at 4,124 units, with private rooms accounting for 284. By channel, 2,126 listings are on Airbnb only, 459 on VRBO only, and 1,823 on both platforms. ADR grew 2.8% year-over-year and revenue grew 2.0%. The market earned a total score of 52.9 out of 100, with investability at 71.2 and regulation favorability at 70.4, reflecting relatively permissive local rules. Seasonality scores 65.9, indicating meaningful seasonal swings that require active pricing management.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 38% |
| Feb | 46% |
| Mar | 46% |
| Apr | 43% |
| May | 52% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 66% |
| Aug | 59% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 45% |
| Nov | 47% |
| Dec | 42% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Hamilton are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Montana Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Montana Area market as a whole, which includes Hamilton, so these counts are not Hamilton-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 167 | 7,613 | ★ 4.84 |
| 2 | AAA Red Lodge Rentals | 45 | 3,512 | ★ 4.92 |
| 3 | Red Lodge Reservations | 32 | 1,818 | ★ 4.89 |
| 4 | Alpine Basin Homes | 30 | 881 | ★ 4.95 |
| 5 | Anaconda Pintler Property Services | 30 | 713 | ★ 4.95 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Hamilton?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Hamilton are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 48.2% |
| vrbo | 10.4% |
| both | 41.4% |
Home Value Trends (Hamilton)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Hamilton are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Hamilton — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Hamilton explicitly permits short-term rentals citywide under Municipal Code section 17.16.020 (Ordinance 441). STRs are a by-right permitted use in all residential districts (RS, RM, RH) and in business districts (B, B-1, B-2, CBD, PS). No conditional-use hearing is required. Registration is mandatory, must be renewed annually, and costs $150 per unit per year. Each unit requires a separate registration. Registration requirements include naming the owner and a local representative responsible for maintenance and safety, notifying all adjacent property owners and residents before applying, and obtaining a Ravalli County Environmental Health public sleeping accommodation plan review and license. The STR registration number must appear in all online and print listings. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement and no cap on nights rented per year. Density limits apply: one STR per parcel in RS and RM districts, a maximum of two units per building in RH, B, and B-1 districts, and no individual or business may register more than two STRs across RS, RM, and RH districts combined. Montana levies an 8% statewide lodging tax (4% Lodging Facility Use Tax plus 4% Lodging Sales/Use Tax); Hamilton imposes no additional local resort or occupancy tax. Enforcement is rated moderate. A 2025 Montana state law increased property-tax classification rates for STRs, raising carrying costs statewide even where local rules remain unchanged.
Market Comparison
Hamilton’s 42.9% April 2026 occupancy is below the approximate US STR median of 55%, consistent with its off-peak shoulder-month timing. The July peak of 66.1% exceeds the national median, confirming that summer demand is competitive. Hamilton’s $158 ADR falls well below the US median of roughly $220, reflecting its small-town rural positioning versus higher-cost resort and urban markets. The market’s overall score of 52.9 places it in the lower-middle tier nationally, though its regulation score of 70.4 reflects favorable local rules. The top operator is Evolve with 167 listings and a 4.84 average guest rating across 7,613 reviews. AAA Red Lodge Rentals operates 45 listings with a 4.92 rating across 3,512 reviews. Red Lodge Reservations manages 32 listings with a 4.89 rating and 1,818 reviews. Alpine Basin Homes and Anaconda Pintler Property Services each hold 30 listings with ratings of 4.95 and 4.95 respectively. The strong ratings from local operators (all above 4.89) suggest quality professional management is a competitive differentiator in this market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hamilton, Montana
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Hamilton, MT?
What is the peak season for short-term rentals in Hamilton, MT?
Do I need a permit to operate an STR in Hamilton, MT?
What taxes apply to Hamilton, MT STRs?
Are there limits on how many STRs I can own in Hamilton?
What monthly revenue can a Hamilton STR generate?
Is owner-occupancy required for Hamilton STR permits?
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