What are the schools like in Hardin, MT?

Hardin is served primarily by Hardin Elem. The district operates 4 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1.

What is the median household income in Hardin?

The median household income in Hardin, MT is $57,266 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 11.5%.

What is the weather like in Hardin, MT?

Hardin has an average high temperature of 36.4°F in January and 90.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 13.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.9 inches.

Hardin, MT Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Hardin, MT affordable or expensive?

Hardin's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hardin is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $149,600 and the median rent is $731 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Hardin, MT?

Hardin has a violent crime rate of 190.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 652.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Hardin, MT a Good Place to Live?

Hardin is a small town of 3,803 in Montana, with a median household income of $57,266 and a 11.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Hardin stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hardin is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hardin city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.6

Hardin's overall cost of living index is 89.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hardin costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hardin, MT	National Avg
Median Home Value	$149,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$731	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	56.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$57,266	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Hardin's violent crime rate is 190.4 per 100,000 residents — 50% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

190.4 /100k

Property Crime

652.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Hardin is served primarily by Hardin Elem. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hardin, MT	National Avg
School District	Hardin Elem	—
Elementary Schools	4	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	30.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hardin sees average highs of 36.4°F in January and 90.7°F in July, with 13.7 inches of annual precipitation and 27.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hardin, MT
Average High — January	36.4°F
Average High — July	90.7°F
Annual Precipitation	13.7"
Annual Snowfall	27.9"

Demographics

Metric	Hardin, MT	National Avg
Population	3,803	—
Median Age	32.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	11.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	50.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.5%	6.3%
Under 18	30.1%	22.2%
65 and over	12.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Crow Agency, MT 12 mi St. Xavier, MT 21 mi Pompeys Pillar, MT 24 mi Nibbe, MT 26 mi Custer, MT 27 mi

ZIP Codes in Hardin

Hardin, MT is covered by 1 ZIP code:

59034

Hardin vs Other Cities

Hardin, MT vs Crow Agency, MT Hardin, MT vs St. Xavier, MT Hardin, MT vs Pompeys Pillar, MT Hardin, MT vs Nibbe, MT Hardin, MT vs Custer, MT

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hardin, MT affordable or expensive?

Hardin's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hardin roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $149,600 and median rent is $731/month.

What is the crime rate in Hardin, MT?

Hardin's violent crime rate is 190.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 652.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Hardin?

Public schools in Hardin are operated by Hardin Elem. The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1. 30.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hardin, MT a good place to live?

Hardin, MT has a population of 3,803, a median household income of $57,266, and an unemployment rate of 11.5%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Hardin?

Hardin averages 36.4°F in January and 90.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 13.7 inches with about 27.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Hardin?

Hardin, MT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 59034.

What is the population of Hardin?

The population of Hardin, Montana is 3,803 with a median age of 32.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hardin?

Key numbers for living in Hardin: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $149,600, median household income $57,266, crime index 42 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hardin side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.