9 Cost-Effective Towns In Montana For Retirees
If leaving behind the crowds and congestion are on your retirement planning list, Montana may be a state you need to consider. Montana is known as the "Treasure State" and "Big Sky Country," with abundant natural wonders throughout the western part of the state, as well as access to the iconic Yellowstone Park from the southwest corridor. Montana boasts a bountiful history to add to the immersive time spent throughout the state. Small cities and towns are very affordable for those looking to call Montana home and enjoy their time and freedom. Let's look at nine of the most cost-effective towns in Montana for retirees.
Kalispell
Just north of Flathead Lake, Kalispell welcomes retirees to a vast number of natural wonder to explore, ranging from the Lone Pine Trail and Foys Lake to the Overlook Trail. This small mountain town is a perfect option for adventurous retirees. If you also love the winter, Kalispell has great snowshoeing trails to explore, including in nearby Glacier National Park. Museums like the Hockaday Museum, Conrad Mansion, and Northwest Montana Museum allow those eager history buffs to take their time and learn more about their new home with friends and family. The average price of a new home in Kalispell is around $545,682, which is a lot more affordable than homes in other major cities, especially those outside the state. Kalispell may not have the iconic landmarks like some cities, but it does have a unique small-town charm for retirees and visitors alike.
Helena
The state capital of Montana, Helena is a hotbed of history with the Original Governor's Mansion, the Montana Military Museum, and the Holter Museum of Art, which inspires creativity for anyone interested in contemporary art. Since Helena is the capital of the state, retirees and tourists can also tour the Montana State Capitol, which also has its fair share of art and history. In addition to the rich cultural opportunities, those yearning to explore the great outdoors are also in for a treat. Mount Helena City Park, standing at 5,468 square feet above sea level, offers plenty of hiking trails and exquisite views of the city. Helena has a warm and welcoming small-town feel, making it a great small city for retirees. Finally, according to Zillow, the average cost of a home in Helena is around $459,263, which is less than Kalispell and worth a visit for those looking to call the "Queen City of the Rockies" home for your post-working life.
Bozeman
Bozeman is Montana's fourth largest city and a natural wonder, being 78 miles away from Yellowstone National Park. In addition to Yellowstone, adventure is clear-cut with whitewater rafting and river tubing close to home. The Gallatin Canyon is also nearby, with endless trails and rivers to explore. If nature isn't on the menu for the day, don't worry; the Museum of the Rockies is in town for any history buff looking to enhance their local acumen, along with plenty of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops to try. The Main Street tour in Bozeman, highlights the pride and history of this small city. Not to be missed, the Bozeman Hot Springs is a spectacular area to recharge aching muscles, with plenty of indoor and outdoor pools boasting temperatures ranging from 57 degrees to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if cost efficiency is top on your list of criteria, Bozeman is the second-highest home cost on the list, with the price of a home around $736,959. Given the wonderful choices and activities available, it may be worth keeping Bozeman on the list.
Livingston
About 25 miles east of Bozeman, Livingston, is a small mountain city that's another great choice for retirees. The Pine Creek Trail is only 15.5 miles away from town, for the outdoor adventurers. For the history buffs, Livingston has the Yellowstone Gateway Museum and the Livingston Depot Center, the city's former train station that last was in service in 1979 and has been converted into a museum. Livingston has their very own Blue Slipper Theatre, where you can catch a local performance on stage. Finally, the average cost of a home in Livingston is around $524,387, which is lower than prices in Bozeman, but slightly more expensive than homes in Helena and Kalispell. Livingston also has a good array of health services including plenty of health clinics in the area, along with the general hospital.
Missoula
Missoula, home to the University of Montana, is the second-largest city in the state, and has a lot to offer retirees and visitors alike. Adventure and outdoor activities are a highlight of Missoula, which has a vast amount of trailheads including Sousa Trailhead, Barmeyer Trail Trailhead, and the Blue Mountain Trailhead, to name a few. The Clark Fork River offers excellent rafting experiences for anyone wanting a wet and wild adventure. The wet and wild are not the only highlights Missoula has to offer. The Missoula Art Museum, including the founding of the Contemporary American Indian Art Collection, should be on every visitor’s list. Quaint parks, like the Clark Fork Natural Area, restaurants, and shops abound for endless amounts of activities to do in town. Missoula is also home to A Carousel for Missoula, which is one of the first hand-carved carousels built in the United States since the 1930s, making it a wonderful attraction to add to anyone’s itinerary. Missoula is also home to the Providence St. Patrick Hospital, which is the number one ranked hospital in the state of Montana. The average cost of a new home in Missoula is around $552,572, which is less than Bozeman's. This town should make it onto a must-see list.
Whitefish
Deep within the Rocky Mountains, Whitefish is a resort town. Think of adding this option to any retiree’s list of choices. Whitefish has many exciting things to offer retirees. Whitefish is about 10 miles away from the Whitefish Ski Resort, self-proclaimed as one of the best areas to ski and snowboard in the state. Other adventurous outdoor activities to take part in include the Big Mountain Trailhead, the Lion Mountain Trailhead, and the Reservoir Trailhead, for those who live and hike on the wild side. Whitefish has wonderful local restaurants and shops for anyone wanting to explore downtown. The Whitefish Lake is in town where visitors can find parks and boating activities to take part in and a small beach on the south side of the lake, very close to downtown. Whitefish is tax-friendly, has very good medical care available for retirees and seniors, has plenty of health clinics and hospitals in town, and is an excellent place to retire. However, prices for homes in Whitefish average around $866,948, which is the most expressive on the list. Given the resort access and activities to enjoy in town, Whitefish may be worth a visit, to see if the area is worth the price.
Butte
Butte is an old mining town in Western Montana, between Missoula and Bozeman. Butte is the home of the World Museum of Mining, and the city's iconic Mining Rig, which is an iconic tower that symbolizes the town. Other museums in town include the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) Mineral Museum and the Copper King Mansion. The Maud S. Canyon Loop is a four-mile-long loop trail, that is great for taking dogs out for a walk. Butte also has three golf courses (the Highland View Golf Course, Butte Country Club, and Fairmount) in the area for anyone looking to hit the green. The average cost of a home in Butte is around $270,140, which comes in at No. 3 on our list of some of the most cost-efficient options for retirees. Given the lower costs, with exceptional access to activities, Butte may be that ideal place to explore and potentially come to call home.
Shelby
Shelby is a small city with a population of about 3,200; it's east of the Rocky Mountains and is about 235 miles away from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to the north. Though Shelby does not have the mountain topography, there are still many activities to keep residents busy. The Roadrunner Trail is a nice prairie environment, perfect for long walks and jogs. Are you looking for golf? The Marias Valley Golf and Country Club is near town and tucked away in the Marias River Valley and is considered a top public golf course in the state. The city is the site of Champions Park, commemorating a famous — and infamous (for the town of Shelby) — heavyweight fight between Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons on July 4, 1923. The average cost of a home in Shelby is around $183,326. which is the No. 1 cost-effective option on the list. This city does have a very nice small-town feel to the area, with an elegant and historic downtown offering plenty of local restaurants and shops for any retiree to explore.
Deer Lodge
Deer Lodge is a small city in Western Montana, with a population of just under 3,000. If a small town is on your list of must-haves, Deer Lodge may be just right as the place to call home. Deer Lodge is close to Butte and has plenty to offer for residents and visitors to do and explore: the Old Montana Prison Complex and the Montana Auto Museum for the history buffs, for example. For adventurous explorers, the Flint Creek Mountain Range is nearby to the west, while Thunderbolt Mountain is east of town. There's also the beautiful and informative Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site Ranch. Deer Lodge does have two golf courses, but they're private. The is abundant healthcare in and around Deer Lodge with plenty of urgent care and hospitals in the area. The average cost of a home in Deer Lodge is around $269,912, which is No. 2 on our cost-efficient list.
Conclusion
Montana is wild and wonderful! The winters are significant, but for those exploring retirement options and who enjoy a great winter wonderland, don’t let Montana pass you by. Small cities like Shelby, Deer Lodge, Helena, and Butte are very affordable with their unique history within them. When preparing for the post-9-to-5 lifestyle, consider exploring these nine wonderful and cost-effective towns for retirees in Montana and see why it may be worth it to call "Big Sky Country" your new home.
