Best Places to live in Montana
Montana is one of those states where it feels like you could go anywhere and find a great life. Whether you want to enjoy the outdoors, work in the health care industry, or simply take advantage of the low cost of living, there are plenty of reasons why you might consider moving here.
The Rocky Mountain West is known for its wide open spaces and beautiful scenery. But beyond the breathtaking views, there are some hidden gems that make Montana even better. Here are 15 places to live in Montana that you probably didn’t know existed.
1. Big Sky Country
2. Flathead Lake
3. Missoula
4. Bozeman
5. Helena
6. Yellowstone National Park
7. Whitefish
8. Kalispell
9. Billings
10. Livingston
11. Butte
12. Glendive
13. Anaconda
14. Havre
15. Sidney
1. Bozeman
The most popular destination in Montana is Bozeman. With a population of over 40,000, it is the largest city in the state. Bozeman is located in Gallatin County, about 50 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Bozeman is home to many colleges including Montana State University, Montana Tech, and Northwest College. There are several ski resorts nearby such as Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl Ski Area.
2. Four Corners
Four Corners is a suburb of Missoula, Montana, United States. Located in western Missoula County, it lies along Interstate 90, approximately halfway between downtown Missoula and the airport. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,971.
The name “Four Corners” refers to the intersection of four highways: US 93, I-90, MT 200, and MT 224. These roads meet at a single point, forming a crossroads.
Four Corners is located within the boundaries of the Missoula School District #1. Its school district borders include those of the nearby communities of Deer Lodge, West Glacier, Whitefish, and Lolo.
Four Corners’ motto is “Where People Live Well.” The community’s slogan is “A Place Where You Can Be Yourself.”
Three of the four corners are named after the three major rivers that flow through the area: the Clark Fork River (named after Lewis & Clark), the Bitterroot River (after Chief Joseph) and the Jefferson River (after Thomas Jefferson). The fourth corner is named after the railroad line that runs through the town.
3. Livingston
Tucked down away in the southwest corner of Montana lies the small town of Livingston. Sitting just off Interstate 90, the city is only an hour’s drive to Yellowstone National Park and Bozeman. With an average population of around 11,500 people, Livingston is a great place to call home.
Livingston is certainly worthy of being placed in the top three best cities to live in Montana. There are many reasons why this is the case. First of all, the city boasts a low crime rate. In fact, according to FBI statistics, the city had zero murders in 2016. This is impressive considering how close the city is to both Billings and Missoula.
The next reason why Livingston is such a desirable location is because of the high standard of education offered here. As well as having one of the highest graduation rates in the state, Livingston also has some of the most highly regarded schools in the area. These include the Livingston High School, which consistently ranks among the top 10% of schools across the United States.
Another thing that makes Livingston such a great place to live is the affordability of property. While houses do tend to be quite expensive in the city, they still offer affordable options compared to larger towns like Billings or Helena. Average house prices in Livingston are around $170,400, making it a very attractive option for younger families looking to buy their first home.
With a strong economy, excellent public transport, and a thriving nightlife scene, Livingston is a great choice for anyone looking to make a move.
4. Whitefish
Whitefish is a small mountain resort town located in western Montana. Located just north of Glacier National Park, it is a popular vacation spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The population of Whitefish is 6,692 people, according to data collected by the United States Census Bureau. This makes it one of the least diverse cities in the nation. However, despite being a relatively homogenous area, Whitefish still offers some unique attractions.
There are several hotels in Whitefish, including the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which is situated within the national park. There are also numerous restaurants and bars where visitors can enjoy themselves while away from home.
In addition to the natural beauty of the mountains surrounding Whitefish, there are also a number of outdoor activities that residents can take part in. Those interested in fishing, hiking and camping can head out into the nearby wilderness.
With such a variety of things to do, it is easy to see why Whitefish is often referred to as “America’s Best Kept Secret.”
5. Helena
There are certainly benefits to living here. This city is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Montana. Helena is home to a population of 29,600 residents. With this many people comes a suburban feel and all the facilities and amenities to match.
House prices in Helena are very affordable, even though they are above the national average. A little over $150,00 dollars will buy you a cozy, cute and charming 2 bedroom house near Helena City Park. People love it because we are small town, friendly and laid back. We are definitely behind the times, but I think that makes us unique.
6. Dillion
The small town of Dillion sits nestled along the banks of the Clark Fork River in central Montana. With a population of around 4,200 residents, it is considered one of the most affordable areas in the state.
Home values are well below the national average at $120,000, according to Zillow.com. For just $199,000, you can purchase a great 4 bedroom house that needs nothing more than a few cosmetic touches to make it feel like home.
A lot of people move to Dillion because it offers a slower pace of life and a lower cost of living. There are no chain stores, big box stores or fast food restaurants. Instead, there are plenty of local shops where residents can find everything they need.
There are several parks and trails within walking distance of homes, including the Big Hole National Battlefield Park. And while the area does see its fair share of winter snowfall, springtime brings beautiful weather and blooming wildflowers throughout the summer months.
7. Missoula
Arty, cultural, natural – this city in the west of the state of Montana is home to one of America’s most important art museums and the historic Fort Missoulin built in 1877. But it’s also a great base for exploring some of the state’s stunning scenery, including Mount Jumbo, the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains.
With good schools on offer from primary level right up to high-school level, parents should seriously consider moving here. And there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that residents do just that. In fact, according to the US Census Bureau, Missoula ranks fifth in terms of population growth over the last decade.
But despite being a relatively small city, Missoula narrowly misses making the top five best places in Montana to live because of its slightly lower than average crime rates.
8. East Helena
East Helena is located in the north east corner of Helena, Montana. It is bordered by Interstate 15 to the west, Highway 93 to the south, and the Helena Airport to the east. The main road running through East Helena is Main Street, which runs parallel to I-15.
The population of East Helena is approximately 2,300 residents. There are three churches, two grocery stores, a gas station, a small café, and several restaurants. In addition, there is a library, a fire department, and a police department.
There are many amenities in East Helena including parks, playgrounds, trails, and schools. Schools include East Helena Elementary School, East Helena Middle School, and Helena High School.
9. Orchard Homes
Orchard Homes is a suburb located in the heart of Missoula. With 5,576 people residing in the neighborhood, it offers everything one could want in a place to live. There are plenty of great schools nearby, including the University of Montana, and jobs are plentiful. However, housing is an issue in Orchards Homes. Only 60% of residents live in owner-occupied dwellings, meaning that many people have to rent. This makes it difficult to find something large enough for a family, let alone affordably priced.
Homes on the more affordable side are either small and poofy or require significant renovations and investment in improvements. Regardless, the area is popular with young families looking for a quiet place to raise children.
10. Lewistown
Lewistown is located in the heart of Montana’s Big Sky Country. This small town is nestled among rolling hills and mountains. It’s surrounded by farmland and cattle ranches.
The city is known for being one of the most affordable places to live in America. In fact, it’s ranked number 10 out of 50 towns in the United States.
This place is perfect for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities. There are plenty of parks, trails and recreational activities. You won’t find many people around here though.
There are no major attractions nearby, but there are some great things to do in Helena, about 40 minutes away.
11. Billings
Billings is located in Montana, nestled along the banks of the Yellowstone River. This small town is known for being one of the most scenic places in the United States. There are many things to do here, including hiking, fishing, camping, rafting, golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hunting, sightseeing, shopping, dining out, and even wine tasting.
The city is home to the University of Montana Western, which offers over 40 different majors and programs. This university is also home to the Billings Convention Center, which hosts events such as concerts, trade shows, conventions, and sporting events.
There are several parks located within the city limits. These include the Billings Municipal Golf Course, the Billings Zoo, the Billings Museum of Wildlife Art, the Billings Memorial Stadium, the Billings Civic Center, and the Billings Public Library.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there is plenty to see and do around the area. There are numerous trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers. Fishing and boating opportunities abound. There are also campgrounds, cabins, lodges, and motels available near the river.
In addition to the outdoors, there are plenty of cultural attractions in Billings. One of the best museums in the region is the Billings Historical Society & Museum. Here you can learn about local history and culture. You can also take part in exhibits, lectures, and special events.
If you want to make some money while exploring the great outdoors, consider working as a guide. Many companies offer tours into the wilderness, where visitors can experience the beauty of nature up close.
Another popular activity in Billings is attending live music performances. There are dozens of bars and restaurants offering live music every night of the week. Some of the most popular venues include the Blue Note Jazz Club, the Bitterroot Bar & Grill, the Buffalo Bill Saloon, and the Old Crow Medicine Show.
12. Kalispell
Kalispell, located just north of Missoula, is home to about 16,000 people. It is the gateway to Glacier National Park, offering visitors a chance to experience some of the park’s most beautiful scenery. In addition to being a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, Kalispell is also known for its thriving arts scene.
The town itself is divided into three main areas: Downtown, North End and South End. While there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from, the area around Main Street is where most of the action happens. Here, you’ll find a number of shops, galleries and boutiques. There are also several coffeehouses, bookstores and music venues scattered throughout the downtown area.
In terms of public transportation, the closest airport is Great Falls International Airport, which is about 20 minutes away. This makes getting here relatively easy. However, if you do decide to rent a car, make sure you know how to navigate the roads in the mountains because driving conditions can be tricky.
13. Glasgow
Glasgow is one of the fastest growing cities in America. Located in the heart of Montana, it is a city where people are moving to because of the affordable housing market.
The average price of a single family home in the area is around $134,400. This makes it cheaper than many major US cities including San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and Seattle.
In addition to being cheap, there are some great reasons to move here too. In fact, it ranks as the second safest city in Montana, behind Missoula.
With a population of about 30,000, it is easy to find everything you need. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance.
There are also lots of outdoor activities nearby such as skiing, fishing, hiking, camping and hunting.
14. Belgrade
Belgrade is just 8-Miles Down the Road From Number One Best Place To Live In Montana – Bozeman
Living in Belgrade Gives You Access To All The Wonderful Things On Offer In Bozeman But Is More Affordable Especially In Terms Of House Prices
Rental Properties Average At $793 A Month And Median Home Value Is $198,000
Think About It $189,900 Can Get You A Charming 3 Bedroom Family Home Just 8 Miles Away From The Outstanding Schools On Offer In Bozema
15. Great Falls
The small Montana town ranked 15th best place to live in America according to Money magazine.
Home to 59,593 people, it is located just outside of Billings.
Local people note the access to walking trails, bike paths and campgrounds are key factors in their overall happiness here.
What’s more, with plenty of local businesses, including several independently owned eateries, there are lots of reasons to socialise and get outdoors.
With the Paris Gibson Square Museum Of Art right on your doorstep you can easily spend some quality time exploring art galleries, exhibitions and special events.
