Should you’re planning on transferring to Montana, add these cities to your listing.
With pure magnificence, various historical past, and vigorous cities, Montana has all of it. Throughout its three distinct areas, there are rivers, glaciers, grasslands, and extra on this expansive state. You may experience a horse, raft down a river, and store at a bustling mall on the identical day, for instance. Even if you wish to expertise “the middle of nowhere,” Montana has you lined.
Often called Massive Sky Nation, Montana boasts expansive plains, sprawling forests, towering mountains, and flat buttes that give option to unobstructed views of clear, stunning skies. In every single place you go, it appears, there’s extra to see.
Montana’s local weather varies extensively relying on the place you reside. Within the mountainous west, winters are chilly and snowy, and summers are heat and nice. As you progress east over the Continental Divide into the Excessive Plains, the local weather is way drier, though winters are nonetheless very chilly. Farthest to the east and decrease in elevation, you’ll see chilly winters and dry, scorching summers.
Lastly, Montana’s inhabitants has grown constantly over the previous decade, with most newcomers transferring to the hip mountain cities of Bozeman and Whitefish. This has created a loopy housing market, with costs skyrocketing, demand plummeting, and record-low affordability.
So, which cities within the Treasure State are one of the best? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered one of the best locations to dwell in Montana, rating them on qualities comparable to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You will discover extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
One of the best locations to dwell in Montana
Missoula, MT
Bozeman, MT
Helena, MT
Billings, MT
Nice Falls, MT
Kalispell, MT
Whitefish, MT
Butte, MT
Livingston, MT
Belgrade, MT
1. Missoula, MT
Inhabitants:77,757Median Sale Value:$599,000Median Hire Value:$1,310Average Commute Time:16.6 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.7%
Dwelling to the College of Montana, a thriving out of doors economic system, beautiful landscapes, and rather more, Missoula tops our listing as one of the best place to dwell in Montana. The town’s prime mountainous location, nice climate, ample out of doors recreation alternatives, and simple navigability helped earn it a excessive rating.
Missoula retains a small-town really feel whereas containing all of the big-city facilities you count on. Occasions and gatherings just like the Farmers’ Market, the Worldwide Wildlife Movie Competition, Germanfest, and extra all add to town’s appeal and creative spirit. You’ll expertise a unique sort of residing in Missoula – one among neighborhood, exploration, and schooling. The pure magnificence doesn’t damage, both.
Missoula’s historical past provides to its appeal. The town sits in an historic lakebed, on the confluence of 5 mountain ranges which rise steeply on all sides. Indigenous peoples, together with the Salish, Kootenia, and Shoshone, have lengthy lived within the area and brought benefit of the slender passages main into the valley. The Lewis and Clark Expedition introduced the primary European settlers to the world.
Missoula’s local weather is relatively humid and delicate, resulting from its location west of the Rocky Mountain peaks. Winters are chilly and snowy, whereas summers are heat however not usually scorching. This implies four-season recreation is fulfilling and plentiful. A rise in wildfires, smoke, drought, and warmth waves are affecting the area, although, which is necessary to bear in mind.
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2. Bozeman, MT
Inhabitants:57,305Median Sale Value:$747,000Median Hire Value:$1,900Average Commute Time:15.4 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.5%
Situated at 4,800 toes in elevation within the foothills of the Rockies, Bozeman is second on our listing. What was lengthy a small city within the Rockies, Bozeman has since develop into a stylish, hip place to dwell. Whether or not it’s the 360-degree mountain views and unbelievable out of doors recreation, or the chance for progress and shops for creativity, individuals love town.
“Bozeman is perfect for people looking for outdoor adventure, community, and culture,” says the staff at Go to Bozeman. “You’re surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, a welcoming and fast-growing community, and plenty of museums, theaters, music, and events throughout the year.”
The town has constantly ranked because the fastest-growing metropolis of its dimension within the nation. It has primarily attracted individuals from coastal metros searching for a small, vigorous mountain escape. Due to its reputation, although, Bozeman has develop into very costly and even earned a disparaging nickname: Boz Angeles. Homes of all sorts usually promote within the hundreds of thousands.
Eclectic, locally-owned retailers and eating places are in every single place within the metropolis. Bozeman Taproom, Rice Effective Thai Delicacies, and Western Cafe are hotspots for all sorts of delicacies, whereas Heyday and Meridian Males are nice locations for souvenirs and clothes. Facilities are typically positioned close to Downtown Bozeman.
Bozeman is a really snowy metropolis, seeing upwards of 90 inches of snow per 12 months. Winters will be fairly chilly, whereas summers are usually delicate and sunny. Two ski resorts, Massive Sky and Bridger Bowl, are inside an hour’s drive, and cross nation snowboarding trails snake by means of town through the lengthy winter.
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3. Helena, MT
Inhabitants:34,464Median Sale Value:$480,000Median Hire Value:$1,525Average Commute Time:13.7 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.4%
With its mixture of historical past, magnificence, and leisure alternatives, Helena earns the quantity three spot. The town was based within the 1860s and embraces each the outdated and new – yow will discover outdated brick alleyways adjoining to fashionable buildings.
The capital of Montana, Helena started as a gold rush city and grew in a short time, turning into a rich metropolis towards the tip of the century. 50+ millionaires lived in Helena by 1888. This focus of wealth contributed to the handfuls of elaborate Victorian buildings that dot the panorama, essentially the most outstanding of which is the Cathedral of St. Helena. Right this moment, Downtown Helena sits at what was the epicenter of the gold rush and is lined with native retailers, eating places, and parks.
Fashionable eating spots embrace the Windbag Saloon & Grill, recognized for its hearty meals, and On Broadway, providing upscale Italian meals.
The town’s gold rush roots influenced extra than simply its wealth. Previous prospector trails winding across the metropolis’s foothills have been become greater than 400 miles of multi-use path, 80 of which begin proper in downtown. Helena was even named an IMBA Silver Journey Heart for mountain biking, one among solely 16 on this planet, because of the abundance and high quality of trails.
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4. Billings, MT
Inhabitants:120,864Median Sale Value:$419,000Median Hire Value:$1,225Average Commute Time:16.7 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.4%
Located alongside the Yellowstone River in south-central Montana, Billings is a thriving metropolis recognized for its outdated western character, Midwest appeal, and entry to the outside. An inexpensive price of residing, loads of facilities, and financial stability assist make it an ideal place to dwell.
As Montana’s largest metropolis, Billings provides an city atmosphere with the scenic backdrop of the Rimrocks to the north and east – and 7 mountain ranges additional out. The Beartooth Mountains to the southwest are essentially the most outstanding. Hills, plains, forests, and streams make up the remainder of the awe-inspiring panorama, good for adventures of all types.
Billings’ fashionable historical past will be traced again to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, when Clark arrived at Pompey’s Pillar, now a preferred state park. About 80 years later, settlers arrived to make the most of the good lumber within the space, and a railroad was constructed not lengthy after. Billings was established in 1882 and rapidly grew to develop into one of many state’s largest cities.
Right this moment, Billings has develop into the financial epicenter for a number of states. In truth, town’s regional affect is almost unmatched, making it the place to be for job hunters. Even with its giant standing, Billings manages to retain its small-town western roots and bigger than life out of doors area. Riverfront Park and Two Moon Park are two nice spots to benefit from the surroundings.
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5. Nice Falls, MT
Inhabitants:60,422Median Sale Value:$385,000Median Hire Value:$1,040Average Commute Time:14.7 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.3%
Nice Falls is pretty small in dimension, however boasts a robust trade and really inventive populace. Named after the numerous waterfalls within the space, Nice Falls has offered electrical energy by means of dams and water for agriculture for over a century by way of the enduring Missouri River. The 5 dams (and waterfalls) alongside the river helped give town the nickname “Electric City.”
Nice Falls was the biggest metropolis in Montana from 1950 to 1970 resulting from its thriving trade and inexpensive land. The price of residing has remained very affordable.
Most famously, Nice Falls is an emblem of the American West. The town seemingly begs you to get out and discover the huge wilderness. Situated within the excessive plains, Nice Falls is nestled between 4 mountain ranges, three rivers, and residential to vistas so far as the attention can see. Greater than 1 million vacationers go to town annually.
This famend panorama has impressed many well-known artists to seize its magnificence, incomes Nice Falls the moniker “The Western Art Capital of the World.” You will discover essentially the most well-known paintings on the C.M. Russell Museum or see extra fashionable items throughout Western Artwork Week. A complete of ten museums dot town’s gridded streets.
Nice Falls’ local weather is pretty dry, with chilly, snowy winters and heat summers. Afternoon thunderstorms in the summertime are widespread, and is when a majority of precipitation falls through the 12 months. Like most cities simply east of the Rocky Mountains, robust Chinook Winds could cause temporary, unseasonably heat winter temperatures.
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6. Kalispell, MT
Inhabitants:29,886Median Sale Value:$698,000Median Hire Value:$1,315Average Commute Time:14.3 minutesUnemployment Charge:4.2%
The sixth-best place to dwell in Montana on our listing, Kalispell is the gateway to Glacier Nationwide Park and the hub of Northwestern Montana. A former railroad city turned industrial and industrial hub, Kalispell is primarily recognized for its out of doors recreation, pure wonders, and small-town appeal. Persons are flocking to get pleasure from this peaceable lifestyle, too: The Kalispell area was the fastest-growing metropolis in Montana in 2023.
Kalispell embraces its function in Indigenous historical past. Quite a few tribes lived and traveled by means of the fertile area, specifically the Salish and Pend d’Oreille. Kalispell’s title comes from “Kalispel,” a typical title for the Pend d’Oreille peoples, for instance. You even have the choice to study Montana Salish, both as a pupil or grownup, by means of native Salish and Kootenai tribal colleges on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
The beloved Flathead Cherry Competition additionally occurs throughout the reservation each July, alongside Flathead Lake. You’ll want to come hungry – there are meals carts and extra Flathead Cherries than you possibly can eat ready for you.
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7. Whitefish, MT
Inhabitants:9,163Median Sale Value:$804,750Median Hire Value:$2,895Average Commute Time:16.7 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.9%
Simply north of Kalispell, Whitefish is a fast-growing, upscale trip city recognized for its out of doors recreation, pure magnificence, and mountain views. The town is located alongside crystal clear Whitefish Lake and residential to 2 ski resorts, loads of luxurious lodging, and pleasant, locally-owned companies. Paired with outstanding climate, these high-end facilities have led an inflow of individuals to the world, though many simply seasonally.
The sunny and delicate summer time is mostly when Whitefish is most crowded, however all 4 seasons – particularly powdery winters – have one thing particular to supply. Glacier Nationwide Park can also be proper in your yard, simply half-hour away. It doesn’t matter what you wish to do outdoors, you’ll discover it in Whitefish.
Loads of native occasions hold residents related through the 12 months, with most occurring downtown. The Underneath the Massive Sky Music Competition, Huckleberry Days Arts Competition, and a weekly Tuesday farmers market are among the many hottest. You can even get along with family and friends at high-end eating places, native brunch spots, and vigorous espresso retailers. Most every little thing is walkable from downtown.
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8. Butte, MT
Inhabitants:35,701Median Sale Value:$323,000Median Hire Value:$800Average Commute Time:16.2 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.1%
Butte, formally Butte-Silver Bow, is a small metropolis about 100 miles northwest of Bozeman. Butte was the primary main metropolis in Montana and retains its old-western environment to at the present time. Mining has performed a serious function within the metropolis’s economic system and tradition since its founding and continues to at the present time. Right this moment, pure magnificence, an inexpensive price of residing, and entry to out of doors recreation make it a fascinating place to dwell.
Butte’s lengthy mining historical past introduced jobs, wealth, and other people to town. Nonetheless, it has additionally harmed the atmosphere. When one of many largest mines shut down in 1982, Butte unknowingly inherited one of many largest Superfund websites within the nation The Berkeley Pit, because it’s now recognized, is positioned on the sting of city and was the location of open-pit mining. The pit is now crammed with poisonous groundwater, which continues to be rising at the moment.
The Berkeley Pit has develop into a vacationer attraction of types, with a viewing stand and memorial plaza devoted to misplaced miners. It’s notorious for its function in chook migrations, as nicely – birds who land on it for various hours will die. Montana has funded efforts for 40 years to scare birds from touchdown on the lake.
Butte’s historical past additionally features a sturdy Chinatown and immigrant inhabitants (just like most of Montana), together with the oldest continually-operating Chinese language restaurant within the nation.
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9. Livingston, MT
Inhabitants:8,908Median Sale Value:$519,000Median Hire Value:$1,380Average Commute Time:23.2 minutesUnemployment Charge:1.4%
Simply half-hour east of Bozeman, Livingston is the ninth-best place to dwell in Montana on our listing. Livingston is a picturesque city often known as being the gateway to Yellowstone Nationwide Park, however is dwelling to loads of pure wonders in its personal yard. The town sits in aptly-named Paradise Valley, flanked by the rugged Absaroka and Gallatin Mountains on both facet. The Yellowstone River flows by means of downtown earlier than reaching open plains and thick forests.
There’s loads to do within the city, too. Livingston is a small railroad city, however you possibly can nonetheless study one thing new, seize an ideal espresso, and sit down for a pleasant dinner all inside a mile from one another. Campione and the Murray Bar provide a few of the greatest experiences. Distinctive retailers and historic buildings additionally line the brick-filled streets.
Importantly, although, Livingston is pretty costly for householders, with home costs about $80,000 above the nationwide median. Folks proceed to be drawn to small-town residing within the rugged American West.
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10. Belgrade, MT
Inhabitants:12,509Median Sale Value:$540,000Median Hire Value:$2,150Average Commute Time:23.4 minutesUnemployment Charge:0.6%
Belgrade, a suburb 20 minutes from Bozeman, rounds out our listing of one of the best locations to dwell in Montana. Folks searching for extra inexpensive houses with out sacrificing the Bozeman life-style will really feel proper at dwelling in Belgrade. Plus, with a historic metropolis heart and distinctive retailers and occasions, you’ll remember to discover one thing to like. The Fall Competition is the preferred amongst locals.
Belgrade is pretty rural and has a historical past of agriculture, just like most cities within the Gallatin Valley. The realm has easy accessibility to water, loads of fertile land, and favorable summer time climate for wheat, oats, and different crops. A sophisticated community of irrigation canals which were used for a century carve by means of the panorama for dozens of miles, influencing native water use and regulation.
The 4 seasons closely affect life in Belgrade. Winter is ideal for having fun with the snow and spending time inside, whereas summer time is right for exploring the good open air. Spring and fall are nice in-between seasons for many actions, however are depending on climate.
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Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Stay rankings are supposed to assist dwelling searchers make an knowledgeable determination when selecting the place to dwell. To aim to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key elements, together with entry to healthcare, open out of doors area, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of seven,500 or higher had been thought of for our Montana listing. Extra details about our methodology will be discovered right here.
Information legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
