Best Affordable Places to Live in Montana in 2025

Photo credit: iStock/powerofforever

Once termed the “Richest Hill on Earth,” Butte was flooded with prospectors around the turn of the 20th century. They dug for copper, silver, and gold. These days the city offers a small-town feel with a charming western facade — and prices that will make you feel like you’ve found treasure. Newbie homebuyers may want to check out first-time homebuyer programs in Montana.

Photo credit: iStock/leezsnow

Sharing a name with the gorgeous waterfall along the Missouri River — now towering 148 feet — Great Falls was an important stop along Lewis and Clark’s cross-country journey. Today, it’s home to a thriving cultural scene including the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, as well as many other museums and attractions. With a cost of living index that’s only 91% of the national average, this city is a great pick for those looking to find an affordable place to live. Ready to get serious about a home purchase in Great Falls? Going through the mortgage preapproval process could help you compete more effectively against other buyers.

Photo credit: iStock/peeterv

The only city in Montana with a population of over 100,000, Billings offers cosmopolitan living with a gorgeous countryside backdrop — at a fraction of the price you’d pay in other big cities. With attractions including multiple museums, a world-class zoo, and several nearby state parks, Billings is also just a day’s drive from Yellowstone Park and the Beartooth Mountains. The different types of mortgage loans available could help make a home purchase more accessible for buyers. Prefer to rent? Rentals in the city are relatively affordable.

Photo credit: iStock/KenRinger

Situated within an easy drive of both Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley, Kalispell offers city resources within proximity of some of the best outdoor playgrounds on earth. While housing prices are a little higher than in some other Montana cities, parents may be drawn to the area because the Kalispell public school system is well regarded. If you’re looking to buy, these tips to qualify for a mortgage could help set you up for success.

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Montana’s capital city is filled with natural and manmade attractions, and it’s well situated for an easy day trip to other Montana cities like Bozeman and Missoula. Plus Helena’s downtown is lined with well-preserved Victorian architecture. It’s an affordable and picturesque place for parents to raise their kids. And the small-town vibe means children can experience a world where they actually know their neighbors.

Photo credit: iStock/shanecotee

In this city, your kids can take after Lewis and Clark and explore the world around them. As a bonus, the city is also home to the Children’s Museum of Montana. Parents will enjoy the lower-than-American-average cost of living. Thinking of purchasing in Great Falls? Make visiting a home loan help center one of your prep steps.

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Known as the setting of A River Runs Through It — though the film was actually shot in Livingston, several hours further east — Missoula’s status as the home of the University of Montana means it sees more than its fair share of cultural events for a mid-sized city tucked into the mountains. And yes, a river really does run through it — three rivers, in fact, and one of them, the Clark Fork, has a man-made wave that people surf on. Missoula is an option for young adults hoping to find themselves and meet others along the way. Although the city’s median age is higher than the others on this list, job prospects in the education and health care fields mean plenty of opportunities for younger folks to meet.

Photo credit: iStock/peeterv

For those who want to be where the action is, Billings is the place. The most populous city in Montana, it’s the perfect launching point for adventurous outings in nearby state forests, or refined evenings at the Alberta Bair Theater.

Photo credit: iStock/ChrisBoswell

Yet again, Montana’s capital makes the list! With stunning landscapes in every direction, and lots of social activities to choose from, adventurous young adults will find plenty to do. Helena also offers job opportunities for those looking to break into the political scene.

Photo credit: iStock/gjohnstonphoto

Tucked along the shores of Polson Bay at the southernmost end of Flathead Lake, Polson is about as picturesque as it gets. The town’s population of just over 5,000 means a relaxed pace of life along with the chance to know all your neighbors. And with almost a quarter of the population age 65 or over, retirees can look forward to plenty of get-togethers with their peers. If you’re considering buying a home that’s on the pricier side, you may want to explore jumbo mortgage loans as you’re navigating the home-buying process.

Photo credit: iStock/James Griffiths Photography

As hip as Missoula is, it’s also a great option for retirees. For one thing, the University of Montana provides plenty of cultural attractions. In addition, summer farmers markets, community game nights, and other organized opportunities for building connections abound. Costs in Missoula remain fairly reasonable considering this is one of the state’s largest and most vibrant communities.

Photo credit: iStock/johnrandallalves

Thanks to its location in the Bitterroot Valley, Hamilton has the lucky distinction of getting far less snow than other Montana cities in the winter. The town is also well known for its relaxed pace of life and proximity to hiking trails and hot springs.

Photo credit: iStock/jodiecoston

Looking to balance proximity to Glacier National Park with reasonable prices? Chances are, you’ll find it here. Located in the midst of some of the very best parts of Montana, including Flathead Lake and the Kootenai National Forest, Kalispell offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to nearby cities like Whitefish.

Photo credit: iStock/Montana Mermaid

This city is home to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, and the famous Mount Sentinel M Trail. Plus, the Clark Fork River that runs through town is great for fly fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and more.

Photo credit: iStock/Lisa5201

Bozeman is the perfect solution for those who want it all: mountains, city life, community, and convenience. Here, you’re within easy proximity of the Bridger Range, Gallatin Range, Madison Range, Spanish Peaks, Beartooth Mountains, Crazy Mountains, and Tobacco Root Mountains — to name a few. And Yellowstone National Park is just an hour’s drive south.