Montana → Wheatland
Wheatland County, Montana
Pasture here rented for $7.10 an acre in 2026, $2.70 below the Montana median of $9.80. That's the 18th percentile among the 48 Montana counties reporting that year, and the 7th percentile nationally.
Put that in lease terms. On a quarter section of 160 acres, the gap between this county and the state median is $432.00 a year. A difference that looks small per acre is large at that scale.
Across Montana's counties, the middle half of county averages in 2026 runs $8 to $12 an acre. Individual leases spread wider than county averages do, because grass, water, fencing and term length all move the price. An offer far outside this band should come with a reason the other side can say out loud.
Since 2009, this county's rate has fallen 10 percent: $7.90 then, $7.10 in 2026.
The counties next door
The comparison made at the kitchen table is with the neighbors. This year, rates across the county line go from $8.10 to $14.50 an acre. Every bordering county NASS tracks is listed at its most recent published rate.
| County | $/acre |
|---|---|
| Judith Basin | $14.50 |
| Golden Valley | $12.50 |
| Fergus | $11 |
| Meagher | $8.50 |
| Sweet Grass | $8.10 |
Every year on record
| Year | $/acre |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $7.90 |
| 2010 | $4.60 |
| 2011 | $5.90 |
| 2012 | $5.90 |
| 2014 | $5 |
| 2016 | $6.80 |
| 2017 | $7.90 |
| 2019 | $7.30 |
| 2020 | $6.50 |
| 2021 | $5.70 |
| 2022 | $5.10 |
| 2023 | $7.40 |
| 2024 | $7.20 |
| 2025 | $7.70 |
| 2026 | $7.10 |
This page prints clean from your browser. Take it to the table.