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Bozeman Real Estate Group
Is Montana a Good Place to Raise a Family?
On Feb 17, 2025
The short answer, 100% yes! Montana is a wonderful place to raise a family. The long answer, there are important factors to consider, so we’ll break it down for you.
Quality of Life
Most people choose Montana for the quality of life. Known as the last best place, Montana has big blue skies, open space, mountains, rivers, and nearly everything in between. When it comes to raising kids it’s an ideal environment for outdoor recreation activities. Skiing, hiking, boating, fishing, hunting…Montana is an endless playground. There is a rich history in Montana so you'll also find nationally recognized museums, national parks, and landmarks. There are amazing music venues, theaters, and a food scene you might not expect in a state like Montana.
Education
Throughout the state of Montana, you will find top-rated school districts. In fact, in each of the major cities in Montana, there is a top high school with Bozeman High School being ranked #1. As a popular place to live, it’s always been an easy place to recruit excellent teachers. However, retaining them has become increasingly challenging over the years due to a lack of affordable housing. Despite this issue, the state's school districts continue to thrive. There are generally great athletic, art, and music programs in the state creating tons of opportunities for students.
Communities
Montana is known for its friendly people which lends itself to tight-knit communities, making it an ideal place to raise kids. This is evident in the small towns of Montana, but it’s not lost in the cities. Even with the growth Montana has had and the influx of out-of-state residents, the neighborly vibes continue. This is likely because people who are moving to Montana are seeking a different quality of life. If you are new to Montana, we have some friendly tips to keep the communities thriving.
Cost of Living
Montana is no longer a secret and if you want to raise a family here it will cost you. Since the pandemic real estate in Montana has gotten expensive. The sudden increase in people moving to the area drove up demand leading to higher prices. Montana has one of the highest real estate costs while our average income remains low. This makes it difficult for the average person to afford to live here. As with any state, there are more affordable towns to live in. However, if you are considering popular places like Bozeman, Whitefish, or Missoula you’re going to be paying higher-than-average prices for most things.
Weather
The weather can be a deterrent for some people when they consider moving to Montana to raise a family. The amount of time to get out the door can double when you are bundling up kids! Our winters are long, cold, and snowy. If you don’t have some family hobbies to get through the winter, they can drag on. We suggest embracing the winter and get the kids in ski lessons asap! There’s always ice skating, sledding, and plenty of other winter activities to keep the kiddos busy during the winter months.
Distance to Major Cities
Montana’s largest city is Billings with a population of 120,000 which is not big as far as cities go. Billings along with our other larger towns offer many of the amenities you would need, however, there are limits. If you are hoping to raise your family with an urban experience, that’s not going to happen in Montana. If you live near Bozeman, Billings, or Missoula you’ll have access to many direct flights to larger cities.
Job Market
Raising a family isn’t free so living somewhere with a good job is key! Click here to see the top employers in Montana. The majority of these are in the cities of Montana so if you are looking to live in the more rural communities this can be more difficult unless you are willing to commute or have a remote job.
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