Best Places to Live in Montana

BEST SMALL TOWN 

This is a tough one because Montana has so many wonderful small towns, which is part of the charm of our state.  One of our top selections is Lewistown. With a population of around 6,000, it offers numerous amenities while still maintaining a small-town feel. Lewistown features a quaint Main Street and beautiful historic homes. It provides enough dining and shopping options (including a brewery and Starbucks!) to serve the community while fostering a tight-knit atmosphere.

 A smaller option is Fort Benton. It’s located on the Missouri River and offers a rich history and a quiet town. Click here to see more small towns we love in Montana.
Photo credit enjoylewistown.com

BEST COLLEGE TOWN

Okay, we have to be biased on this one and say Bozeman is the best college town! Montana State University is the largest in the state and enrollment has been growing for the past several years. While we can’t argue that U of M has die-hard fans, there’s just nothing like a Bobcat fan! MSU sits in a central location and is a big part of the Bozeman community. As the fastest-growing town in the state as well, Bozeman is the place to be! 

For those looking for a smaller college town, Dillon is an excellent option. It is home to the University of Montana Western and offers a close-knit community, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, and a charming small-town atmosphere.

BEST CITY

Bozeman is again a top choice if you are looking for city amenities in Montana. They have a thriving dining and shopping scene, and the busiest airport in the state. There is skiing nearby with Big Sky and Bridger Bowl and tons more outdoor recreation. The state capital, Helena, is another city choice. Not quite as big as some of the other cities in Montana. Helena offers good job opportunities, a fun downtown area, and a central location to other nearby Montana cities.

BEST OUTDOOR ACCESS

It’s Montana, so outdoor access is plentiful but Whitefish is a gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you will find year-round outdoor activities! Skiing and snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort, boating and fishing at Whitefish Lake, and the never-ending exploring of Glacier National Park. Its location in northern Montana puts it close to tons of national forest access for hiking, camping, hunting, and more. Plus, Whitefish is a beautiful town with a thriving downtown area. 

BEST ACCESS TO WATER

Missoula has fantastic access to some of Montana’s best lakes and rivers. The Clark Fork runs right through the heart of the city and on any given summer day you’ll see floaters on the river. Several other rivers are nearby including the Blackfoot, Rock Creek, and the Bitterroot. There are over 130 lakes and reservoirs in Missoula County including some beautiful small ones in the Seeley Lake area. Flathead Lake, the largest in the state, is a little over an hour away.

BEST PLACE TO RETIRE

Retirees flock to Montana to enjoy a slower pace of life for their golden years. Billings is a top choice because that part of the state tends to have a milder climate than the western half and they don’t see the snow that places like Bozeman get. Billings is also the best place for health care services in the state with two top hospitals. Billings is the largest city in the state so you have access to all the amenities you need.

BEST PLACE FOR A SECOND HOME

If money is no object, Big Sky is a spectacular place for a second home. This is probably why many well-known athletes, actors, and CEOs have second homes here. There’s year-round recreation with skiing, mountain biking, and hiking, plus nearby Yellowstone National Park. For the rest of us? Nearby Ennis is a great choice for a second home. Located on the Madison River by blue-ribbon trout fishing, and tons of public land. Ennis has a charming downtown with a surprising number of dining and shopping options thanks to tourism in the area.