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Bozeman Real Estate Group
Most Affordable Places to Live in Montana
On Jan 17, 2025
Montana has become the place to move to in the past several years. We blame the show Yellowstone (only partially joking)! Whatever the reasons people are moving to Montana, the growth is real and it has made Montana a very expensive place to live. The median sales price of a home in Montana has outpaced the national median sales price and is around $537,000 according to Redfin. Not to mention places like Bozeman that have become incredibly expensive. Whether you are looking for a small town or a larger city there are a lot of amazing places to live in Montana. However, if you are looking for someplace more affordable to live in Montana, you might want to check out these options.
GREAT FALLS
Great Falls is the third largest city in Montana with a population of just over 60,000. It is the one of the most affordable cities in Montana with a median sales price of around $325,000. There is also an abundance of good jobs in Great Falls with two of Montana’s largest employers having being located here. The Missouri River runs through the city with trails, and of course many waterfalls along the way. This city is rich in history and has a growing downtown scene with local restaurants and shops. Photo credit liveingreatfalls.com
BUTTE/ANACONDA
Butte is located only 90 miles west of Bozeman, but the difference in affordability is big. The median sales price in Butte as of December 2024 was $266,200 compared to Bozeman at $687,500. Butte has a population of around 35,249. Montana Tech is located in Butte so there is a mix of a college town vibe with a small-town hard-working community. Nearby is Anaconda, Montana which has a similar median sales price and has been growing over the past few years. The proximity to outdoor recreation, including Georgetown Lake adds to the popularity of this area.
BILLINGS/LAUREL
Billings is the largest city in Montana and one of the more affordable options. The median home price is around $409,500 so not as low as some of the others on the list, but the jobs generally pay more in this area. One of Montana’s largest employers, Billings Clinic, is located here providing many jobs for the area. Laurel is a town just outside of Billings and is a more affordable place to live in Montana with a median sales price of $396,100. Many live in Laurel and commute to work in Billings because they are only 15 miles apart. Photos credit Wikipedia
HAVRE
Many of the small towns in Montana have more affordable housing than the bigger cities. However, finding a good paying job can be more difficult. Havre is a great small town with good options. The median sales price in Havre is around $262,000 making it one of the most affordable places to live. Northern Montana Health Care, the railroad, and Montana State University are all large employers in this area. With a population of just under 10,000 this small town is a great option for people moving to Montana. Photo courtesy of Havre Chamber of Commerce
LEWISTOWN
Lewistown might be the perfect sized town in Montana! With a population of just over 6,000 it’s not too big and not too small. The median sales price is $339,000 and there are some beautiful homes here. They also have a vibrant downtown area and community events throughout the year. The Judith River runs through town and several mountain ranges are nearby making outdoor recreation abundant. Photo credit enjoylewistown.com
DILLON
Another town in Montana that is more affordable is Dillon, Montana. Located in SW Montana with a population of just over 4,000 and median sales price of $392,450 - Dillon is a great choice. It is home to University of Montana Western which gives it a vibrant college town energy. It’s also home to a Patagonia outlet store, so you have to love that! Like the rest of Montana, outdoor recreation is plentiful and both Butte and Bozeman are nearby when you need city amenities or to catch a flight out of town.
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