Lower Rattlesnake, a neighborhood in Missoula, Montana, adjacent to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness, has experienced significant changes in its housing market over the past decade. The area has seen a general trend of increasing average home prices and fluctuating homeownership rates. In 2013, the homeownership rate was 61% with an average home price of $265,288. By 2019, as average home prices rose to $358,623, homeownership declined to 45%. However, a slight reversal occurred in recent years, with homeownership increasing to 56% in 2022, despite the average home price reaching $579,699.

Federal interest rates have influenced homeownership trends in Lower Rattlesnake. Between 2013 and 2016, when interest rates were historically low (0.09% to 0.40%), homeownership rates remained relatively stable around 60%. As interest rates began to rise from 2017 onwards, reaching 1.83% in 2018, homeownership rates declined more sharply, dropping to 49% that year. This trend aligns with the general principle that lower interest rates tend to encourage homeownership due to more affordable financing options.

Renter percentages and average rent prices in Lower Rattlesnake have shown interesting patterns. As the renter population increased from 38% in 2013 to 54% in 2019, average rent prices fluctuated. The average rent rose from $1,020 in 2013 to $1,108 in 2016, then decreased to $1,003 in 2019. This suggests that despite the growing renter population, other factors such as increased housing supply or economic conditions may have influenced rent prices. The neighborhood's population also grew during this period, from 2,727 in 2013 to 2,945 in 2019, potentially contributing to the increased demand for rental properties.