Montana attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: Excellent job opportunities, affordable healthcare, and quality education. You canāt go wrong with the Treasure State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $400,000. Anaconda’s cost of living is 23.4% lower than the national average, and Hardin is 22% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But thatās not all! Retirees can enjoy Billings’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $387K. Meanwhile, Glendive offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $212,525.
Cheapest Places to Live in Montana in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Montana. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Glasgow | $176,433 | $725 | 17.4% lower ā¬ļø | $79,031 | 3,180 |
| 2. Anaconda | $285,002 | $1,200 | 23.4% lower ā¬ļø | $46,436 | 9,673 |
| 3. Butte | $274,984 | $1,500 | 20.4% lower ā¬ļø | $56,522 | 36,360 |
| 4. Great Falls | $323,311 | $1,500 | 12.1% lower ā¬ļø | $58,272 | 60,422 |
| 5. Havre | $253,259 | $1,000 | 18.3% lower ā¬ļø | $63,143 | 9,330 |
| 6. Sidney | $293,819 | $951 | 1.6% lower ā¬ļø | $56,696 | 6,112 |
| 7. Billings | $387,635 | $1,495 | 5.4% lower ā¬ļø | $69,692 | 120,864 |
| 8. Hardin | $230,979 | $720 | 22% lower ā¬ļø | $57,266 | 3,709 |
| 9. Glendive | $212,525 | $800 | 20.3% lower ā¬ļø | $65,663 | 4,796 |
| 10. Miles City | $265,686 | $563 | 18.5% lower ā¬ļø | $59,578 | 8,438 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Montana
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Treasurer State:
#1 Glasgow
- Median house rent is $725 | Rental prices range between $700 and $1,500.
- Median home value of Glasgow is $176,433.
- Cost of living in Glasgow is 17.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Glasgow, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Glasgow is one of the most affordable places to live in Montana. With an average household income of $65,850, residents enjoy a high quality of life. Besides this, jobs in the city are expected to grow by 35.68% over the coming years. Employers like BNSF Railway and CHS Inc. are important economic contributors.
Ā» Glasgow Homes for Sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest cities in Montana to live.
#2 Anaconda
- Median house rent is $1,200 | Rental prices range between $589 and $3,500.
- Median home value of Anaconda is $285,002.
- Cost of living in Anaconda is 23.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Anaconda, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Anaconda is one of the most budget-friendly towns in Montana, and transportation costs are also 30.6% lower than the national average. Utilities also cost 14% lower than nationwide. Major employers like Aflac and Safeway contribute to the city’s economy.
Ā» Anaconda Homes for Sale: Check out property listings in one of the many cheap places to live in Montana.
#3 Butte
- Median house rent is $1,500 | Rental prices range between $500 and $2,600.
- Median home value of Butte is $274,984.
- Cost of living in Butte is 20.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Butte, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Housing in Butte costs 43.5% lower than the US average. This makes it one of the most affordable cities in Montana. Skydiving is a popular recreation. Additionally, Town Pump and Clark Fork & Blackfoot LLC are major local employers.
Ā» Butte Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of property listings in Butte.
#4 Great Falls
- Median house rent is $1,500 | Rental prices range between $700 and $5,500.
- Median home value of Great Falls is $323,311.
- Cost of living in Great Falls is 12.1% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Great Falls, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Monthly utilities cost 8.1% lower than the US median, which makes Great Falls one of the most inexpensive places to live in Montana. Companies like D.A. Davidson Companies and Fringe Benefit Resources offer ample jobs.
Ā» Great Falls Homes for Sale: Explore in one of the cheap places to live in Montana.
#5 Havre
- Median house rent is $1,000 | Rental prices range between $160 and $1,400.
- Median home value of Havre is $253,259.
- Cost of living in Havre is 18.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Havre, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Renowned as the ‘Crown jewel of the Hi-Line’, Havre’s cost of living is 18.3% lower than the national average. Transportation also costs 38% less. MSU Northern and Triangle Communications are two key companies that offer jobs locally.
Ā» Havre Homes for Sale: Find houses in one of the cheap cities in Montana.
#6 Sidney
- Median house rent is $951 | Rental prices range between $775 and $1,317.
- Median home value of Sidney is $293,819.
- Cost of living in Sidney is 1.6% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Sidney, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
You can comfortably live in Sidney, with an average household income of $56,696. Utilities also cost 11.3% lower than nationwide. It is also home to diverse businesses like American Crystal Sugar and Thrifty White Pharmacy.
Ā» Sidney Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the cheapest city in Montana to live.
#7 Billings
- Median house rent is $1,495 | Rental prices range between $575 and $4,235.
- Median home value of Billings is $387,635.
- Cost of living in Billings is 5.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Billings, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Billings is one of the cheapest places to live in Montana with transportation costs 24.8% lower than the national average. The monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $574. Healthcare expenses are also 6.7% lower, which makes it an ideal place for senior citizens.
Ā» Billings Homes for Sale: Get yourself affordable and cheap homes in Montana.
#8 Hardin
- Median house rent is $720.
- Median home value of Hardin is $230,979.
- Cost of living in Hardin is 22% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Hardin, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Hardin is one of the most affordable towns in Montana with housing costs 47.8% lower than nationwide. Transportation is also 28.3% cheaper. One Health and Burr & Big Horn Electric are two top employers in this area.
Ā» Hardin Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the cheapest place in Montana to live.
#9 Glendive
- Median house rent is $800 | Rental prices range between $700 and $8,000.
- Median home value of Glendive is $212,525.
- Cost of living in Glendive is 20.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Glendive, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Housing in Glendive is notably cheaper at 40.5% below the national average. You can get an estimate of property values in this area with a free home worth estimator. Dawson Community College and Action For Eastern Montana Inc. are major employers.
Ā» Glendive Homes for Sale: Search affordable housing in Montana.
#10 Miles City
- Median house rent is $563 | Rental prices range between $475 and $1,500.
- Median home value of Miles City is $265,686.
- Cost of living in Miles City is 18.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Miles City, MT: 59602 | 59405 | 59601
Miles City is one of the most affordable cities to live in Montana. A low cost of living and affordable housing has led to a population growth of 1.24% since 2020. It is also home to institutions like the Miles Community College and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Ā» Miles City Homes for Sale: Explore cheap housing in Montana.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Montana?
You will find cheapĀ houses for sale in Montana under 250Kā in cities like Anaconda, Hardin, and Butte. They offer stable job opportunities, and the cost of living is more affordable than other Montana cities.
Cities like Sidney and Billings are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Montana.
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Research Methodology
To rank the top cities in Montana, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest place to live in Montana?
The cheapest place to live in MT is Anaconda. It has an affordable cost of living of 23.4% lower than the national average.
Ā» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Montana: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Montana.
Is Montana expensive to live in?
Yes, it is. The median home value is $463,962. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Montana?
The best place to live in Montana is Belgrade, followed by Bozeman, Dillon, Billings, Glasgow, Great Falls, and Whitefish.
Which Montana city has the lowest cost of living?
Anaconda has the lowest cost of living, which is 23.4% and 23.4% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
