Best places to live in Montana
We cover 3 places in Montana, home to 259,000 residents. The largest is Billings (121,000), the fastest growing since 2020 is Bozeman (+9.7%), and the lowest metro price level is in Billings (93.5). The top state income tax rate is 5.65%. The average combined sales tax is 0%.
Best places to live in Montana, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Montana means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | 58 | 4.7× | $73,712 | +3.5% | 17 min | 4 |
| 2 | Missoula | 50 | 6.7× | $70,392 | +6.4% | 16 min | 4 |
| 3 | Bozeman | 50 | 8.0× | $85,747 | +9.7% | 16 min | 4 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Montana
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 121,239 | +3.5% | $343,400 | $1,138 | $73,712 | 93.5 | 36° | 87° |
| Missoula | 78,903 | +6.4% | $473,100 | $1,189 | $70,392 | 96.4 | 32° | 85° |
| Bozeman | 58,814 | +9.7% | $687,900 | $1,717 | $85,747 | 102.5 | 34° | 82° |
Taxes in Montana
Montana has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.65% in 2026. The state sales tax is 0%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 0%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.
Top parks and sights in Montana
The Montana parks, museums, landmarks and natural wonders people know best. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Glacier National Park National park
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Dark sky park
- Flathead Lake Lake
- Saint Mary Lake Lake
- Lake McDonald Lake
- Lake Missoula Lake
- Berkeley Pit Lake
- Quake Lake Lake
- Bitterroot National Forest National forest
- ZooMontana Zoo
- Museum of the Rockies Museum
- Swiftcurrent Lake Lake
- Great Falls Waterfall
Places from Wikidata (CC0), ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover them.