The Big Sky State. The Last Best Place. The Treasure State. Montana’s nicknames alone make it sound like a pretty nice place to live.
If you’re considering a move to Montana, you’re probably wondering in which of the state’s nice places is best for you to live. Big city or small town? Mountains or plains? Rivers or lakes? We’re here to provide our list of the best places to live in Montana so that you can choose the right relocation spot for you.
Let’s dive into the best cities in Montana:
Belgrade is a bedroom community to the larger, more in-demand Bozeman and is mostly populated by people who work in Bozeman, Big Sky or the surrounding areas. Its primary draw is the slightly more affordable housing (compared with Bozeman) and easy access to all of Bozeman’s amenities.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons for staying within the city limits. Spend an afternoon inline skating, biking or walking the 4.5-mile Valley Center Trail. Or pop into the taproom at Madison River Brewing Company for a taste of Belgrade’s local brews.
Don’t miss the Belgrade Community Market, a local farmers market showcasing some of the finest in homemade, handmade and homegrown.
If you’re looking for a quaint little ski town with beauty to spare, Big Sky is an excellent choice. Located about halfway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman, Big Sky is best-known for its ample recreational opportunities.
Hike, bike or horseback ride the Gallatin Crest Trail, raft or fish the Gallatin River or strap on your skis for some turns at Big Sky Resort or — if you’re lucky enough to know someone on the inside — the ultra-exclusive Yellowstone Club.
Billings is the largest city in Montana. Known as “The City Beneath the Rimrocks,” thanks to the surrounding sandstone formations by the same name, Billings started as a railroad town in 1882.
Situated in the south-central portion of Montana, Billings is the seat of Yellowstone County. It is particularly well-known for its booming oil economy, large medical sector and affordable housing. Thanks to these characteristics and many others, Billings is one of Livability’s Best Places to Live.
Bozeman has gotten a lot of press lately — and for a good reason. Once a sleepy little cow town in Southwest Montana, Bozeman has blown up to become the state’s technology and cultural mecca. Currently, it’s one of the fastest-growing towns in America and is sometimes called “Boz-Angeles” to reflect that growth.
Known within Montana as “the most livable place,” Bozeman boasts excellent schools, a nationally-recognized public research university (Montana State University), easy access to a small yet well-connected airport, a strong job market and a vibrant, young, family-centric community.
Bozeman is currently experiencing a population boom, so homes are tough to come by and rental prices are higher than virtually anywhere else in the state.
Thanks to the incredible influx of people in the Bozeman area, the cost of living is also higher here than in many other parts of Montana. Still, you’ll get a break on utilities. The city ranks 16.1 percent lower than the national average when it comes to affordability for energy services. It’s also one of the cheapest cities for cellphone plans.
Nicknamed “Butte America” for the role Butte’s super-productive copper mines played in powering America during the early 1900s, this city was once “The Richest Hill on Earth.”
While Butte is no longer the mining powerhouse it once was, and the most notable remnant of those glory days is the Berkeley Pit, Butte maintains a rough-and-tumble attitude.
Today the city is known for its assortment of quirky, historic establishments (Anthony Bourdain once shot an episode in Butte’s Pekin Noodle Parlor, the oldest continuously-operating Chinese restaurant in America). Butte is also home to Montana Tech, the premier STEM university in the Big Sky State.
Come for the old-fashioned western hospitality, stay for the affordable homes and high quality of life.
Columbia Falls is a one-time mining and logging community turned residential location. The town is just minutes from the ultra-popular resort destination of Whitefish.
The biggest draw of Columbia Falls is its recreation. Residents are just minutes from the North, South and Middle Forks of the Flathead River, as well as the larger Main Fork, below where the three rivers converge. You’re also only about 20 minutes from the entrance to Glacier National Park.
The views of the Columbia Mountain Range provide a dramatic backdrop for this little city.
Straddling the banks of the Missouri River, Great Falls is a history buff’s dream-come-true. The city is home to the C.M. Russel Museum of cowboy art. You’ll also find numerous exhibits dedicated to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which passed through the area now known as Great Falls and the adjacent Giant Springs State Park.
Even if history isn’t your thing, you’ll love the natural beauty, affordable housing, strong job market and quality schools Great Falls offers its residents.
Helena is the state capital of Montana. A friendly, mid-sized arts community boasting stunning mountain views and some serious history, Helena is an excellent place to live, work and play.
Home to Carroll College, a private, four-year Catholic college, Helena offers great schools and higher education opportunities, excellent jobs (the state government is a major employer) and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Kalispell is essentially a suburb of Whitefish and serves as a gateway to Glacier National Park. The city shares an economy with Whitefish and is mainly inhabited by families that work in Whitefish but don’t want to pay the high real estate prices the in-demand “Fish” commands.
Kalispell is home to good schools and a quaint downtown filled with 19th-century buildings housing unique shops, pubs and breweries. Don’t miss Frosty the Brewfest, a popular winter festival where you can jam to live music while enjoying craft beers in a heated tent.
When people familiar with Missoula think of the area, three things come to mind: rivers, farmers markets and mountains.
The second-largest city in Montana, Missoula sits at the convergence of five separate western Montana mountain ranges and is known as “the hub of five valleys.” The city is along the Clark Fork of the Columbia River, near where it meets the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers. As such, it’s one of America’s best cities for fishing.
Rents are reasonable here, the job market is strong and there’s plenty to do for both individuals and families alike.
Find your own best place to live in Montana
Montana is truly the last best place, and it’s an excellent state to live, work and play. Ready to make the transition? Let us help you find your way home.
Source: rent.com