{"id":94814,"date":"2025-04-23T16:10:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T23:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=94814"},"modified":"2025-04-30T12:30:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T19:30:05","slug":"best-places-to-live-in-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Best Places to Live in Montana in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h3 id=\"h-if-you-re-planning-on-moving-to-montana-add-these-cities-to-your-list\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning on moving to Montana, add these cities to your list.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With natural beauty, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mhs.mt.gov\/education\/Elementary\/MAHOOHTimeline.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">diverse history<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and lively cities, Montana <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-living-in-montana\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has it all<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Across its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umt.edu\/this-is-montana\/columns\/stories\/montana_regions_1of3.php\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three distinct regions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are rivers, glaciers, grasslands, and more in this expansive state. You can ride a horse, raft down a river, and shop at a bustling mall on the same day, for example. Even if you want to experience \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/wonk\/wp\/2018\/02\/20\/using-the-best-data-possible-we-set-out-to-find-the-middle-of-nowhere\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the middle of nowhere<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d Montana has you covered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montana.edu\/marketing\/about-msu\/bozeman\/state.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big Sky Country,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Montana boasts expansive plains, sprawling forests, towering mountains, and flat buttes that give way to unobstructed views of clear, beautiful skies. Everywhere you go, it seems, there\u2019s more to see.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montana\u2019s climate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wrcc.dri.edu\/Climate\/narrative_mt.php\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">varies widely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depending on where you live. In the mountainous west, winters are cold and snowy, and summers are warm and pleasant. As you move east over the Continental Divide into the High Plains, the climate is much drier, although winters are still very cold. Farthest to the east and lower in elevation, you\u2019ll see cold winters and dry, hot summers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, Montana\u2019s population has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/montanafreepress.org\/2021\/08\/12\/census-releases-detailed-montana-population-data\/#:~:text=The%20Census%20Bureau%20released%20a,growth%20over%20the%202010%20count.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">grown consistently<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over the past decade, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/leg.mt.gov\/content\/Publications\/fiscal\/2025-Biennium\/MARA\/Demographic-Report-Update-MARA-2024.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> newcomers moving to the hip mountain towns of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/2317\/MT\/Bozeman\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bozeman<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/20056\/MT\/Whitefish\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whitefish<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This has created a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/montanas-housing-market-gets-crazy-170050817.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">crazy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> housing market, with prices skyrocketing, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montanarightnow.com\/news\/state\/montana-has-the-3rd-least-competitive-housing-market-in-2025\/article_78d5ea6e-5f74-5f91-ad17-3cacc00bca0a.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">demand plummeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtpr.org\/montana-news\/2024-09-19\/montanas-housing-market-named-least-affordable-in-the-country\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">record-low affordability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, which cities in the Treasure State are the best? In this Redfin article, we\u2019ve uncovered the best places to live in Montana, ranking them on qualities such as affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. You can find more information about our methodology <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-methodology\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or at the bottom of the article.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-the-best-places-to-live-in-montana\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>The best places to live in Montana<\/b><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-1-missoula-mt\">Missoula, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-2-bozeman-mt\">Bozeman, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-3-helena-mt\">Helena, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-4-billings-mt\">Billings, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-5-great-falls-mt\">Great Falls, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-6-kalispell-mt\">Kalispell, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-7-whitefish-mt\">Whitefish, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-8-butte-mt\">Butte, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-9-livingston-mt\">Livingston, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-10-belgrade-mt\">Belgrade, MT<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94828\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"helena-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_282466538.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-1-missoula-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Missoula, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">77,757<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$599,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,310<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16.6 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.7%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home to the University of Montana, a thriving outdoor economy, stunning landscapes, and much more, Missoula tops our list as the best place to live in Montana. The city\u2019s prime mountainous location, great weather, ample outdoor recreation opportunities, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walkscore.com\/MT\/Missoula\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">easy navigability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helped earn it a high score.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Missoula retains a small-town feel while containing all the big-city amenities you expect. Events and gatherings like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missoulafarmersmarket.org\/#\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Farmers\u2019 Market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wildlifefilms.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Wildlife Film Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/artsmissoula.org\/events\/germanfest\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Germanfest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and more all add to the city\u2019s charm and artistic spirit. You\u2019ll experience a different kind of living in Missoula \u2013 one of community, exploration, and education. The natural beauty doesn\u2019t hurt, either.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Missoula\u2019s history adds to its charm. The city sits in an ancient lakebed, at the confluence of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150815201714\/http:\/\/oldmissoula.com\/?view=article&amp;id=49%3Amissoulas-five-valleys-or-is-it-three-or-eight\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">five mountain ranges<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which rise steeply on all sides. Indigenous peoples, including the Salish, Kootenia, and Shoshone, have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mhs.mt.gov\/Shpo\/AfricanAmericans\/Places\/PropertyRecords\/Missoula\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long lived in the region<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and taken advantage of the narrow passages leading into the valley. The Lewis and Clark Expedition brought the first European settlers to the area.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Missoula\u2019s climate is comparatively humid and mild, due to its location west of the Rocky Mountain peaks. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are warm but not often hot. This means four-season recreation is enjoyable and plentiful. An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/missoulacurrent.com\/outdoor-economy-climate\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in wildfires, smoke, drought, and heat waves are affecting the region, though, which is important to keep in mind. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/12893\/MT\/Missoula\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Missoula homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/missoula-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Missoula houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Missoula\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Missoula apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94827\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"bozeman-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2217016049.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-2-bozeman-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Bozeman, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">57,305<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$747,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,900<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15.4 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located at 4,800 feet in elevation in the foothills of the Rockies, Bozeman is second on our list. What was long a small town in the Rockies, Bozeman <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.bozemancvb.com\/blog\/bozeman-popular-destination-montanans\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has since become<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a trendy, hip place to live. Whether it&#8217;s the 360-degree mountain views and incredible outdoor recreation, or the opportunity for growth and outlets for creativity, people love the city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBozeman is perfect for people looking for outdoor adventure, community, and culture,&#8221; says the team at\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; color: #3a3a3a;\" href=\"https:\/\/visitbozeman.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit Bozeman<\/span><\/a>. &#8220;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, a welcoming and fast-growing community, and plenty of museums, theaters, music, and events throughout the year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bozemandailychronicle.com\/news\/bozeman-area-again-ranked-fastest-growing-of-its-size-in\/article_881f7994-a3d7-5f68-b85c-5875d2c0749a.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consistently ranked<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the fastest-growing city of its size in the country. It has primarily <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bozemandailychronicle.com\/news\/bozeman-area-again-ranked-fastest-growing-of-its-size-in\/article_881f7994-a3d7-5f68-b85c-5875d2c0749a.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">attracted people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from coastal metros looking for a small, lively mountain escape. Because of its popularity, though, Bozeman has become very expensive and even earned a disparaging nickname: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/bozeman-real-estate-market-news-11627568896\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boz Angeles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Houses of all types regularly sell in the millions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eclectic, locally-owned shops and restaurants are everywhere in the city. Bozeman Taproom, Rice Fine Thai Cuisine, and Western Cafe are hotspots for all types of cuisine, while Heyday and Meridian Men are great places for souvenirs and clothing. Amenities are generally located near <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/downtownbozeman.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Downtown Bozeman<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bozeman is a very snowy city, seeing upwards of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/us-climate-normals\/#dataset=normals-annualseasonal&amp;timeframe=30&amp;location=MT&amp;station=USC00241044\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90 inches of snow per year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Winters can be quite cold, while summers are typically mild and sunny. Two ski resorts, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bigskyresort.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big Sky<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgerbowl.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bridger Bowl<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are within an hour\u2019s drive, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bridgerskifoundation.org\/trails\/maps\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cross country skiing trails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> snake through the city during the long winter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/2317\/MT\/Bozeman\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Bozeman homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/bozeman-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Bozeman houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Bozeman\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Bozeman apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94826\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-946x630.jpg\" alt=\"helena-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-946x630.jpg 946w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079-451x300.jpg 451w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1827760079.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-3-helena-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Helena, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">34,464<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$480,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,525<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13.7 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.4%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With its mix of history, beauty, and recreational opportunities, Helena earns the number three spot. The city was founded in the 1860s and embraces both the old and new \u2013 you can find <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reedersalley.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">old brick alleyways<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> adjacent to modern buildings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The capital of Montana, Helena began as a gold rush town and grew very quickly, becoming a wealthy city toward the end of the century. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/helenamt.com\/2020\/08\/say-hello-to-helena\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50+ millionaires<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lived in Helena by 1888. This concentration of wealth <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/helenair.com\/news\/local\/history\/nuggets-from-helena-the-historic-and-architectural-significance-of-helenas-westside\/article_3dc12bff-23cd-5a61-84ec-eea15aaba91c.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contributed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the dozens of elaborate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/victorian-house-styles\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Victorian buildings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that dot the landscape, the most prominent of which is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sthelenas.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cathedral of St. Helena<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Today, Downtown Helena sits at what was the epicenter of the gold rush and is lined with local shops, restaurants, and parks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular dining spots include the Windbag Saloon &amp; Grill, known for its hearty meals, and On Broadway, offering upscale Italian food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city\u2019s gold rush roots influenced more than just its wealth. Old prospector trails winding around the city\u2019s foothills have been turned into more than 400 miles of multi-use path, 80 of which start right in downtown. Helena was even named an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imba.com\/ride-centers\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMBA Silver Ride Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for mountain biking, one of only 16 in the world, due to the abundance and quality of trails.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/9065\/MT\/Helena\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Helena homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/helena-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Helena houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Helena\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Helena apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94825\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"billings-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2404725225.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-4-billings-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Billings, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">120,864<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$419,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,225<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16.7 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.4%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Situated along the Yellowstone River in south-central Montana, Billings is a thriving city <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-billings-mt-a-good-place-to-live\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.valdostadailytimes.com\/news\/lifestyles\/billings-montana-where-the-old-west-remains-alive\/article_ad364878-2607-5c3e-9261-17628be04b64.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">old western character<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Midwest charm, and access to the outdoors. An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/affordable-places-to-live-in-montana\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">affordable cost of living<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, plenty of amenities, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.minneapolisfed.org\/article\/2019\/billings-community-data-profile#:~:text=Over%20the%20past%20ten%20years,other%20parts%20of%20the%20country.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">economic stability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> help make it a great place to live.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/biggest-cities-in-montana\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montana\u2019s largest city<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Billings offers an urban environment with the scenic backdrop of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitbillings.com\/slothies-rimrocks-and-other-great-scenery\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rimrocks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the north and east \u2013 and seven mountain ranges further out. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/detail\/custergallatin\/recreation\/?cid=stelprd3830236\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beartooth Mountains<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the southwest are the most prominent. Hills, plains, forests, and streams make up the rest of the awe-inspiring landscape, perfect for adventures of all kinds.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Billings\u2019 modern history can be traced back to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, when Clark arrived at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pompeyspillar.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pompey\u2019s Pillar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, now a popular state park. About 80 years later, settlers arrived to take advantage of the great lumber in the area, and a railroad was built not long after. Billings was established in 1882 and quickly grew to become one of the state\u2019s largest cities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, Billings has become the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.billingschamber.com\/relocate-to-billings\/billings\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">economic epicenter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for multiple states. In fact, the city\u2019s regional influence is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.billingsmt.gov\/1776\/Explore-Billings#:~:text=With%20one%20of%20the%20largest,much%20of%20the%20same%20area.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nearly unmatched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it the place to be for job hunters. Even with its large status, Billings manages to retain its small-town western roots and larger than life outdoor space. Riverfront Park and Two Moon Park are two great spots to enjoy the scenery.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/1720\/MT\/Billings\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Billings homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/billings-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Billings houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Billings\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Billings apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" class=\"wp-image-94824\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1593542497.jpg\" alt=\"great-falls-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1593542497.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1593542497-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1593542497-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1593542497-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1593542497-600x300.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-5-great-falls-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Great Falls, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60,422<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$385,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,040<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14.7 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.3%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great Falls is fairly small in size, but boasts a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/greatfallsmt.net\/sites\/default\/files\/fileattachments\/planning_and_community_development\/page\/42201\/rivers_edge_history.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strong industry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and very creative populace. Named after the many waterfalls in the area, Great Falls has provided electricity <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/places\/the-falls-of-great-falls.htm\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">through dams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mtspecialtymills.com\/operations\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">water for agriculture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for over a century via the iconic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanrivers.org\/river\/missouri-river\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Missouri River<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lowestravels.com\/2016\/07\/31\/dams-waterfalls-and-prairies-great-falls-mt\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">five dams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (and waterfalls) along the river helped give the city the nickname \u201cElectric City.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great Falls was the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatfallstribune.com\/story\/news\/2017\/10\/26\/optimistic-stagnant-great-falls-who-we\/801624001\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">largest city in Montana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from 1950 to 1970 due to its thriving industry and affordable land. The cost of living has remained very reasonable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most famously, Great Falls is an emblem of the American West. The city seemingly begs you to get out and explore the vast wilderness. Located in the high plains, Great Falls is nestled between four mountain ranges, three rivers, and home to vistas as far as the eye can see. More than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montanarightnow.com\/great-falls\/great-falls-montana-tourism-working-to-improve-visitors-experience-through-a-survey-for-residents-and\/article_3ad219b2-67c0-11ee-9430-e7170a464a5c.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 million tourists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> visit the city each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This renowned landscape has inspired many famous artists to capture its beauty, earning Great Falls the moniker \u201cThe Western Art Capital of the World.\u201d You can find the most famous artwork at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmrussell.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C.M. Russell Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or see more modern pieces during <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/visitgreatfallsmontana.org\/western-art-week\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Art Week<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A total of ten museums dot the city\u2019s gridded streets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great Falls\u2019 climate is fairly dry, with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Afternoon thunderstorms in the summer are common, and is when a majority of precipitation falls during the year. Like most cities just east of the Rocky Mountains, strong <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forecast.weather.gov\/glossary.php?word=CHINOOK\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinook Winds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cause brief, unseasonably warm winter temperatures. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/8379\/MT\/Great-Falls\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Great Falls homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/great-falls-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Great Falls houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Great-Falls\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Great Falls apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94823\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1601106340-840x630.jpg\" alt=\"kalispell-mt\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-6-kalispell-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Kalispell, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29,886<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$698,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,315<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14.3 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.2%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sixth-best place to live in Montana on our list, Kalispell is the gateway to Glacier National Park and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwmthistory.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hub of Northwestern Montana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A former railroad town turned industrial and commercial hub, Kalispell is primarily known for its outdoor recreation, natural wonders, and small-town charm. People are flocking to enjoy this peaceful way of life, too: The Kalispell region was the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/flatheadbeacon.com\/2024\/03\/26\/flatheads-brisk-growth-rate-shows-signs-of-slowing\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fastest-growing city<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Montana in 2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kalispell embraces its role in Indigenous history. Numerous tribes lived and traveled through the fertile region, namely the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesalishinstitute.com\/our-culture\/salish-kalispel-pend-doreille-history\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salish and Pend d\u2019Oreille<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Kalispell\u2019s name comes from \u201cKalispel,\u201d a common name for the Pend d\u2019Oreille peoples, for example. You also have the option to learn Montana Salish, either as a student or adult, through local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/csktribes.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salish and Kootenai<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tribal schools at the Flathead Indian Reservation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The beloved <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montanasflatheadlake.com\/communities\/polson-montana\/polson-main-street-flathead-cherry-festival\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flathead Cherry Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also happens within the reservation every July, along Flathead Lake. Be sure to come hungry \u2013 there are food carts and more Flathead Cherries than you can eat waiting for you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/10220\/MT\/Kalispell\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Kalispell homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/kalispell-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kalispell houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Kalispell\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kalispell apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"603\" class=\"wp-image-94822\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1656675451.jpg\" alt=\"whitefish-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1656675451.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1656675451-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1656675451-1024x515.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1656675451-768x386.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1656675451-597x300.jpg 597w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-7-whitefish-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Whitefish, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9,163<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$804,750<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,895<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16.7 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.9%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just north of Kalispell, Whitefish is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/whitefishpilot.com\/news\/2021\/sep\/08\/whitefish-population-increases-22\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fast-growing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbes-global-properties\/2021\/12\/19\/exploring-whitefish-montana-a-resort-town-of-rustic-luxury\/?sh=5bbb6945631c\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upscale vacation town<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> known for its outdoor recreation, natural beauty, and mountain views. The city is situated along crystal clear Whitefish Lake and home to two ski resorts, plenty of luxury lodging, and friendly, locally-owned businesses. Paired with remarkable weather, these high-end amenities have led an influx of people to the area, although <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailyinterlake.com\/news\/2024\/feb\/25\/council-considers-resort-tax-rebate-changes-for-se\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many just seasonally<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sunny and mild summer is generally when Whitefish is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigskyfishing.com\/Montana-Info\/whitefish_mt.shtm#:~:text=The%20winter%20population%20of%20Whitefish,in%20various%20places%20around%20town.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most crowded<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but all four seasons \u2013 especially powdery winters \u2013 have something special to offer. Glacier National Park is also right in your backyard, just 30 minutes away. No matter what you want to do outside, you\u2019ll find it in Whitefish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plenty of local events keep residents connected during the year, with most happening downtown. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.underthebigskyfest.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the Big Sky Music Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/explorewhitefish.com\/entries\/huckleberry-days-arts-festival\/681387b7-1749-4d8a-9aa5-8d8c674bcd8c\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Huckleberry Days Arts Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and a weekly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/whitefishfarmersmarket.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuesday farmers market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are among the most popular. You can also get together with friends and family at high-end restaurants, local brunch spots, and lively coffee shops. Most everything is walkable from downtown.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/20056\/MT\/Whitefish\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Whitefish homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/whitefish-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Whitefish houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Whitefish\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Whitefish apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94821\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"butte-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2177419075.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-8-butte-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Butte, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35,701<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$323,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$800<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16.2 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.1%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Butte, officially Butte-Silver Bow, is a small city about 100 miles northwest of Bozeman. Butte was the first major city in Montana and retains its old-western atmosphere to this day. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.silverbow.mt.us\/481\/History-Culture\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mining has played a major role<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the city\u2019s economy and culture since its founding and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/elkodaily.com\/news\/local\/business\/mining\/after-150-years-mining-continues-in-butte-montana\/article_75d24f1c-1840-11ed-8675-afdb357baad6.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continues to this day<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Today, natural beauty, an affordable cost of living, and access to outdoor recreation make it a desirable place to live.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Butte\u2019s long mining history brought <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mininghistoryassociation.org\/ButteHistory.htm\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jobs, wealth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and people to the city. However, it has also harmed the environment. When one of the largest mines shut down in 1982, Butte <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.invw.org\/2023\/02\/23\/in-a-battle-for-truth-in-a-small-montana-mining-town-newly-revealed-records-show-how-the-epa-sided-with-polluters\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unknowingly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inherited <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cumulis.epa.gov\/supercpad\/SiteProfiles\/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&amp;id=0800416#bkground\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one of the largest Superfund sites in the country<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pitwatch.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Berkeley Pit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as it&#8217;s now known, is located on the edge of town and was the site of open-pit mining. The pit is now <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/montanafreepress.org\/2023\/03\/06\/newly-revealed-records-show-how-the-epa-sided-with-polluters-in-butte-montana\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">filled with toxic groundwater<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is still rising today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Berkeley Pit has become a tourist attraction of sorts, with a viewing stand and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.minememorial.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memorial plaza<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dedicated to lost miners. It\u2019s infamous for its role in bird migrations, as well \u2013 birds who land on it for more than a few hours will die. Montana has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qtlPTE-UmY4\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">funded efforts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for 40 years to scare birds from landing on the lake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Butte\u2019s history also includes a robust <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymontanan.com\/2022\/06\/19\/mai-wah-remembering-the-legacy-of-chinese-immigrants-in-montana\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinatown and immigrant population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (similar to most of Montana), including the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pekin-noodle-parlor.edan.io\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oldest continually-operating Chinese restaurant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/neighborhood\/761364\/MT\/Butte-Silver-Bow-balance\/Butte\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Butte homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/butte-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Butte houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Butte\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Butte apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94820\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"livingston-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1396895816.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-9-livingston-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Livingston, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8,908<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$519,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,380<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23.2 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1.4%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just 30 minutes east of Bozeman, Livingston is the ninth-best place to live in Montana on our list. Livingston is a picturesque town known as being the gateway to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/index.htm\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yellowstone National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but is home to plenty of natural wonders in its own backyard. The city sits in aptly-named <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationmontana.com\/paradise-valley-montana\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradise Valley<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, flanked by the rugged Absaroka and Gallatin Mountains on either side. The Yellowstone River flows through downtown before reaching open plains and thick forests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s plenty to do in the town, too. Livingston is a small railroad town, but you can still learn something new, grab a great coffee, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodandwine.com\/livingston-montana-restaurants-7094893\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sit down for a nice dinner<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> all within a mile from each other. Campione and the Murray Bar offer some of the best experiences. Unique shops and historic buildings also line the brick-filled streets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Importantly, though, Livingston is fairly expensive for homeowners, with house prices about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/11198\/MT\/Livingston\/housing-market\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$80,000 above<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the national median. People continue to be attracted to small-town living in the rugged American West. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/11198\/MT\/Livingston\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Livingston homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/livingston-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Livingston houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Livingston\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Livingston apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" class=\"wp-image-94819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"belgrade-mt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_2346207599.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-10-belgrade-mt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Belgrade, MT<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12,509<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$540,000<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,150<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23.4 minutes<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0.6%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belgrade, a suburb 20 minutes from Bozeman, rounds out our list of the best places to live in Montana. People looking for more affordable homes without sacrificing the Bozeman lifestyle will feel right at home in Belgrade. Plus, with a historic city center and unique shops and events, you\u2019ll be sure to find something to love. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bozemandailychronicle.com\/belgrade-fall-festival\/article_b4b6d98a-4e83-11ee-8784-bb0c729ee210.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fall Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the most popular among locals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belgrade is fairly rural and has a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.belgrade-news.com\/features\/history-lesson-reveals-city-s-roots\/article_bde66794-2547-11e7-9b06-3f9fd5f0c79e.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">history of agriculture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, similar to most towns in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bozemanmagazine.com\/articles\/2018\/09\/04\/102964-gallatin-agricultural-history\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gallatin Valley<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The area has easy access to water, plenty of fertile land, and favorable summer weather for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/agaimt.com\/history\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wheat, oats, and other crops<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A complicated network of irrigation canals that have been used for a century carve through the landscape for dozens of miles, influencing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/landresources.montana.edu\/Capstone_Fall2021.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">local water use and regulation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four seasons heavily influence life in Belgrade. Winter is perfect for enjoying the snow and spending time inside, while summer is ideal for exploring the great outdoors. Spring and fall are great in-between seasons for most activities, but are dependent on weather.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/1320\/MT\/Belgrade\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Belgrade homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/montana\/belgrade-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Belgrade houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Montana\/Belgrade\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Belgrade apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-methodology\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Methodology<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin\u2019s Best Places to Live rankings are meant to help home searchers make an informed decision when choosing where to live. To attempt to measure the overall quality of a metro area, each ranking takes into account several key factors, including access to healthcare, open outdoor space, navigability, housing trends, employment statistics, income, and travel time to work. Only metros with a population of 7,500 or greater were considered for our Montana list. <\/span><b>More information about our methodology can be found <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-methodology\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>here<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data valid April 2025. This article is for informational and educational purposes only.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re looking to move somewhere new or are just curious about what the state has to offer, read on to discover the best places to live in Montana in 2025. Redfin ranks cities based on factors like affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":94829,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2656],"tags":[559,34713,34453],"coauthors":[34342],"class_list":["post-94814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-insights","tag-moving","tag-mt","tag-national"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The 10 Best Places to Live in Montana in 2025 | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the best places to live in Montana in 2025. Redfin ranks cities based on factors like affordability, navigability, and amenities.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 10 Best Places to Live in Montana in 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the best places to live in Montana in 2025. Redfin ranks cities based on factors like affordability, navigability, and amenities.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-23T23:10:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-30T19:30:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/shutterstock_1863892822.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"645\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jamie Forbes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jamie Forbes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jamie Forbes\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3603a267f733523fe5d675a16cf38715\"},\"headline\":\"The 10 Best Places to Live in Montana in 2025\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-23T23:10:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-30T19:30:05+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2768,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/shutterstock_1863892822.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"moving\",\"mt\",\"national\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Local Insights\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/\",\"name\":\"The 10 Best Places to Live in Montana in 2025 | Redfin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/best-places-to-live-in-montana\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/shutterstock_1863892822.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-23T23:10:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-30T19:30:05+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover the best places to live in Montana in 2025. 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