11 Best Places To Live In Montana In 2025

Most people who have settled in Montana list its supreme natural beauty, wide open spaces, and abundant recreational opportunities as reasons they decided to make it their home. While the Treasure State is known to host bustling cities like Billings, the small towns demonstrate a strong sense of community, with friendly locals willing to welcome guests with open arms. Add to this a relatively affordable cost of living and a slow pace of life, and the stage is set for anyone who needs a break from the urban hustle and bustle.

Scattered across its rugged natural landscapes, from Glasgow’s outdoor excursions to Lewistown’s artistic allure, are quaint little locations that will impress potential movers into the state. Whether seeking a fresh start or looking to put down retirement roots, here are the best places to live in Montana in 2025.

Glasgow

This small town in Valley County is known for its remote feel and laid-back pace of life, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate a sense of privacy. It is surrounded by wide open spaces, providing enough room to roam and see the great outdoors during superb hunting excursions courtesy of Billingsley Ranch Outfitters. However, the downtown area is much livelier and depicts Glasgow as an economic hub in eastern Montana. It has an eclectic mix of businesses, with restaurants like Eugene's Pizza serving delicious comfort foods.

Museum lovers can stop by the Valley County Pioneer Museum to learn about the region's dynamic history by browsing a modest selection of archives, antiques, and artifacts. Glasgow residents find it easy to afford a house, given a low median home value of $147,000 as of April 2025. The town is also relatively safe, with less than 15 violent crimes in 2019.

Lewistown

Lewistown is just over two hours northwest of Billings, in the state’s geographical center, and is known for its beautiful outdoor scenery and modest art scene. The doors are open for those who wish to immerse themselves in the open spaces, with Big Springs Trout Hatchery & Park providing a delightful spring area and shaded picnic spots where you can relax and observe native mammals and birds. In downtown Lewistown, art lovers get inspired by admiring intimate pieces and attending art classes at the Lewistown Art Center.

On the other hand, Silver Screen enthusiasts watch the latest Hollywood productions at the family-friendly Judith Theatre. Lewistown is an affordable place to live, and buying a home will set you back about $267,000, a steal compared to the state average of $452,000. Residents can also rest assured of their health thanks to the Central Montana Medical Center, an advanced 25-bed hospital.

Roundup

Roundup promises incoming residents the perks of small-town life, highlighted by a strong sense of community where everybody feels like your neighbor. It hosts several social amenities that serve as a gathering spot for the townsfolk, particularly the Roundup Swimming Pool. This is a popular recreational facility that draws the young and old in a welcoming atmosphere. The Roundup Heritage Riverwalk Trail encourages residents to stay active with lovely hiking opportunities along a scenic walkway through imposing cottonwood trees while offering exquisite Musselshell River views.

Thanks to Roundup Memorial Healthcare, townsfolk enjoy access to quality medical attention. This 25-bed critical access facility provides comprehensive medical services in its acute care unit. Finally, a decent home in Roundup goes for about $228,500, about half the state average.

Deer Lodge

Deer Lodge is a historic railroad town in Powell County with a string of sites and landmarks that document its colorful backstory. A walk through the downtown district reveals a trove of local treasures, starting with the Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum Complex. The site preserves almost a century of heritage and features a collection of over 160 antique automobiles. Locals can also spend time at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site for a glimpse of ranching life in the mid-19th century.

Residents needing a quiet space to relax and breathe fresh air head to Cotton City Park. This lovely sanctuary harbors walking trails, picnic areas, and sports amenities for the public. Deer Lodge's average home cost is $271,000, cheaper than most areas in the state. Moreover, with just seven violent crimes reported in 2019, it is also a safe community to live in.

Miles City

A mix of small-town flair, classic Western vibes, and overall affordability makes Miles City one of the best places to live in Montana in 2025. The town's median housing cost of $222,000 is way below the United States average of $357,000. Despite this, residents enjoy a rich blend of attractions and opportunities, with art lovers browsing a permanent collection of exhibits by premier artists at the WaterWorks Art Museum. The Range Riders Museum presents a unique perspective of pioneer life in the area by recreating an old-world settlement complete with wagons, antique firearms, and Indian artifacts.

Miles City is also home to Pirogue Island State Park, a peaceful escape for hikers, campers, picnickers, and anglers, surrounded by the scenic waters of the Yellowstone River. Finally, residents get their primary healthcare services from the reliable Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital.

Glendive

Glendive is home to Dawson Community College, which is part of a decent public school system. To this end, education is a local draw, perfect for families looking to settle down. Moreover, townspeople have ready access to exciting outdoor opportunities across the rugged landscapes of Makoshika State Park. This 11,000-acre wilderness is known for housing fossilized dinosaur remains from prehistoric times, as well as Badlands formations. Its wide open skies and pitch-dark nights make it the perfect spot for stargazing. However, those who prefer some greenery in the environment enjoy picnicking at Jaycee West Park, where the air is cleaner, and the atmosphere is more serene.

The lively bar and restaurant scene in downtown Glendive results in many hangout spots where residents can catch up after a long day at work. This includes the Gust Hauf, known for its family-centric setting, delicious pizza, and live sports. Lastly, the median cost of homes in Glendive is an affordable $183,000.

Baker

Baker strikes the perfect balance between safety and affordability, allowing its citizens to lead a stress-free life in the seat of Fallon County. This former railroad town has an average housing value of $165,000, which is among the cheapest you can find. Its captivating history is preserved inside the O'Fallon Historical Museum, whose exhibits highlight the area's heritage and culture through the years. Outdoor lovers pass the time by playing on the lush greens of Lakeview Country Club, whose nine holes challenge golfers of all skill levels.

The downtown region offers many locations where families can spend quality time together, including the Baker Bowling Center. This is also true for the Baker Recreation Center, where the young and old gather to take advantage of amenities like an indoor swimming pool, ball fields, skating rinks, and a golf course.

Choteau

Choteau is a historic town in Teton County that grew on the back of the fur trade and is known for its picturesque mountainous landscapes and year-round outdoor opportunities. It is within an hour of Teton Pass Ski Resort, which boasts over 100 acres of skiing terrain with world-class trails on the side of the majestic Rocky Mountains. The Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area welcomes isolated escapes to admire diverse species of waterbirds in a quiet environment, highlighted by tundra swans and snow geese.

At the Roxy Theatre, Choteau treats its residents to fun and friendly flicks featuring the latest films in an intimate venue at low ticket prices. Benefis Teton Medical Center comprehensively handles any medical issues to ensure a healthy community. The community is very tight-knit and come together for events like the Wild Wings Choteau Festival, celebrating the annual spring migration of snow geese. Also, the median home price is $259,000, nearly $200,000 less than Montana’s average.

Sidney

This eastern Montana municipality, just ten miles west of the North Dakota border, balances its lush outdoor scenery with a lively downtown area. Sidney encourages citizens to embrace the beauty of the open spaces by playing golf at the Sidney Country Club. Beautiful natural surroundings, framed by rolling hills and tree-lined edges, add to the experience of conquering its eighteen holes. Meanwhile, the MonDak Heritage Center in downtown Sidney familiarizes newcomers with the region's cultural history and artistic heritage through a diverse collection of related artifacts.

Locals also love congregating inside Meadowlark Brewing at the end of a long day to catch up over a glass of finely crafted local beer. A decent home in Sidney costs you about $250,000, which should be welcome news for movers. Getting around town is also a breeze, thanks to the Richland County Transit, which offers regular rides in Sidney.

Colstrip

This secluded community in Rosebud County offers the best of small-town living with access to wide open spaces and limitless recreational opportunities. Ponderosa Butte Public Golf perfectly captures the allure of Colstrip's outdoor scenery. As you play the course's nine holes, the soothing scenes of undulating landscapes with lush greenery help to relax your body and mind. The Schoolhouse History and Art Center preserves the area's heritage by depicting life in the old days through artifacts and hosting art exhibitions and cultural events.

Colstrip is also home to the Colstrip Medical Clinic, which performs an array of medical procedures to guarantee reliable local services. The town is also very pocket-friendly, as seen from a median home price of $223,000. Finally, residents can relax here, as Colstrip is one of Montana’s safer communities, with just two violent crimes reported in all of 2019.

Hardin

This small bedroom community in Big Horn County is home to friendly residents who readily welcome new residents with open arms. It has one of the lowest median home costs in the state, requiring just $201,000 to afford a decent property. Downtown Hardin is a modest hub with various local businesses where residents gather to socialize and trade. Gamblers try their luck at Silver Fox Casino on its video poker machines, slots, and keno machines.

On the other, those who need something to eat stop by Lariat Country Kitchen to enjoy delicious country food in a family-friendly country setting. Meanwhile, newbies can find valuable resources about Hardin's history at the Big Horn County Historical Museum. Lastly, for senior citizens in town, the Big Horn County Council on Aging has a physical location in town providing healthcare, transportation, and educational guidance.

Final Thoughts

From picturesque riverside communities to relaxed mountain hamlets and quiet, secluded villages, the best places to live in Montana in 2025 provide an appealing setting to start over. While each has unique attributes and attractions, they all consider the importance of strong community ties, a slow pace of life, and access to the outdoors, which add to your overall quality of life. The best part is that the cost of living is quite affordable, saving you the pressures of living in urban centers.