6 Top-Ranked Towns in Montana for Retirees
Montana is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, including majestic mountains, rolling plains, and pristine wilderness areas. They don’t call it “Big Sky Country” for nothing. Montana's strong sense of community and friendly residents create a welcoming environment for newcomers to small towns like Helena, Livingston, Butte, Kalispell, Whitefish, and Anaconda. Whether moving for the peaceful solitude of rural living, the vast, wide open spaces, or the vibrant culture of a small town, retiring to Big Sky Country offers a tranquil and enriching retirement experience.
Helena
Montana's capital city, Helena, is a town rich in history with landmarks like the Montana State Capitol, the Last Chance Gulch historic district, and Reeder’s Alley, named after a brick mason from Pennsylvania who built over 30 brick and stone one-room tenements for the miners who rushed to Montana to strike gold. Built during the 1870s, it is the oldest intact piece of early Helena and provides insights into the lives of miners, building techniques of the time, and the lives of the men and women who came here seeking their fortune.
The food scene in Helena is as diverse as the landscape surrounding it. Everything is on the menu, from classic Cajun dishes like po’ boys and gumbo at Cafe Zydeco to burritos and fajitas at Jalisco Mexican Grill. In Reeder’s Alley, Cotton Top Pastries is a small bakery with a big backstory—it once housed an 1880s brothel. Today, it serves yummy, sweet, and savory goodies made from scratch.
Not just one of the best foodie towns in Montana, Helena is a prime destination for retirees looking for low crime, and quality healthcare. The Chartis Center for Rural Health ranks St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena as a “2024 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital”. The hospital also provides free lectures and events, first aid classes, and wellness screenings. While many amenities make Helena a great city, median home prices are steep, at around $559,900, higher than the US national average of $420,000 (at the beginning of 2024).
Livingston
Nestled along the Yellowstone River and near Yellowstone National Park, the small town of Livingston, population 9,129 in 2024, offers a relatively low cost of living and housing compared to other parts of Montana. Over 20% of the population is over the age of 65, which makes the town a top choice for retirees. Livingston HealthCare serves the community's medical needs and is ranked a top hospital in the United States for physician communication and patient-centric care by Becker’s Hospital Review. For those set on buying a home, median home listing prices are around $649,500.
Livingston boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals, art galleries, museums, and theaters. The Livingston Center for Art and Culture is where creative retirees can appreciate the local arts and entertainment scene and join a community of like-minded people looking for a fulfilling retirement experience. The town also has several historical landmarks and sites that offer insight into its past. The Livingston Depot Center, initially constructed in 1902, once served as a railway station for the Northern Pacific Railway. Today, the depot is a multi-purpose community gathering place and cultural center, hosting wine tastings, dinner dances, and artisanal markets.
Butte
Butte has a rich mining history and boasts several historical landmarks and sites. The World Museum of Mining preserves Butte’s legacy of its rich mining and cultural heritage and is one of the few museums in the world located on an actual mine. The site is so expansive that retirees can spend a few hours or an entire day there. Venture 100 feet underground into the 2,700-foot-deep fascinating Orphan Girl Mine, where miners had removed 7.6 million ounces of silver, lead, and zinc by 1944.
The fourth largest statue in the United States is in Butte, sitting atop the Continental Divide and overlooking the city. The 90-foot Our Lady of the Rockies is a statue of the Virgin Mary, built in honor of a local electrician’s wife, who battled cancer and won. Our Lady of the Rockies is a monument to women and mothers everywhere; over 5,000 people visit here annually.
Butte has a low crime rate and quality healthcare, with the Intermountain Health St. James Hospital in town. It is also typically affordable for retirees to purchase homes, with a median home listing price of $296,000, fostering a sense of financial stability during the golden years.
Kalispell
Situated in the Flathead Valley, the picturesque town of Kalispell, is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Whitefish Range to the north. It is approximately 15 miles north of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the great Mississippi River. The town features good housing options and low crime rates. The Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell provides health care for its 32,000 residents and is also a “2024 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital” in the US.
Downtown’s restored 1800s buildings include the Conrad Mansion, the home of Montana pioneer Charles Conrad, who founded the town of Kalispell in 1892. The Conrad Mansion is now a museum open for docent-led and self-guided tours. The Hockaday Museum of Art in the town’s former library (circa 1903) features both well-known and emerging Montana artists, rotating exhibits, and a permanent collection of art and culture from Glacier National Park.
With Glacier National Park practically in its backyard, Kalispell is for outdoor adventurers and avid explorers who do not plan to slow down in retirement. There is something for everyone to enjoy within the park’s 1 million acres, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and bird and wildlife watching. For those looking to purchase a home, median home listing prices sit around $674,000.
Whitefish
Whitefish is known for its stunning natural beauty, recreational activities, and, surprisingly, an emerging craft beer scene for retirees looking to kick back and relax during retirement. So hire a driver and head out to explore the Bonsai Brewing Project, an independently owned craft brewery with a selection of beers, including traditional IPAs, lagers, and stouts, available in the taproom, as well as a variety of soul bowls, tacos, and snacks.
While the town is well known for its out-of-this-world ski hills, covered in “Whitefish powder,” the Whitefish Lake Golf Complex is two award-winning 18-hole courses for active seniors with spectacular mountain views near the posh Grouse Mountain Lodge. Whitefish City Beach boasts a sandy 7-mile-long glacial lake with a swimming area, docks, and available kayak and paddleboard rentals. Depot Park is a popular community venue in the town center that hosts arts and crafts fairs, concerts, and a farmers’ market.
While housing prices in this resort town may be higher than in some other Montana towns, with median home listing prices at 1.4 million, Whitefish has a low crime rate, and North Valley Hospital offers top-notch healthcare services.
Anaconda
Anaconda has a somewhat checkered history and boasts several historical landmarks and sites. The Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park is home to the Anaconda Smelter Stack, once part of the world’s largest copper smelting operation and one of the world’s tallest free-standing brick structures. The Washoe Theater, built in 1936, is known for its stunning Art Deco design and luxurious interior where retirees can enjoy live entertainment or catch a movie premiere.
Anaconda's housing prices are reasonable, with a median home listing price of $364,500, making it more feasible for retirees to purchase a home. The town has a low crime rate, and residents are served by the Community Hospital of Anaconda, named a “2024 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” by the Chartris Center for Rural Health for the 11th time.
Retiring in Montana offers a serene and fulfilling lifestyle, thanks to its majestic landscapes and tight-knit communities. From the bustling capital to quaint mountain towns, retirees find solace in Montana's tranquil charm. The state's history is evident in its landmarks and museums, offering insights into its mining heritage and cultural legacy. With affordable housing, low crime rates, and quality healthcare, Montana promises retirees a peaceful and enriching retirement experience.
