Quick answer
Montana can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $355,100, rent of $1,058/month and household income of $65,329, and the state's violent crime rate (422 per 100k, 2025) is above the median state. Start your research with Bozeman, Helena, Billings.
Median home value
$355,100
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,058/mo
Household income
$65,329
Violent crime / 100k
422
Montana, 2025
Population change
+1.6%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.9%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
5.4×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 71 | $614,900 | $1,611 | $79,903 | +2.9% |
| Helena, MT | 67 | $355,100 | $1,058 | $69,341 | +1.8% |
| Billings, MT | 50 | $311,800 | $1,097 | $71,855 | +1.0% |
| Kalispell, MT | 50 | $381,400 | $1,019 | $61,590 | +5.3% |
| Great Falls, MT | 42 | $237,400 | $866 | $63,934 | +0.1% |
| Missoula, MT | 38 | $427,400 | $1,120 | $65,329 | +1.3% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 73 | $440,500 | $1,159 | $67,420 | +2.7% |
| Beaverhead County | 72 | $282,000 | $800 | $58,072 | +1.3% |
| Teton County | 70 | $235,500 | $750 | $67,766 | +0.8% |
| Broadwater County | 61 | $364,800 | $978 | $63,636 | +4.8% |
| Custer County | 61 | $204,200 | $918 | $63,585 | -0.2% |
| Jefferson County | 61 | $408,000 | $886 | $76,576 | +1.9% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montana a Good Place to Live in 2027?
Montana can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $355,100, rent of $1,058/month and household income of $65,329, and the state's violent crime rate (422 per 100k, 2025) is above the median state. Start your research with Bozeman, Helena, Billings.
What are the best places to live in Montana?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Montana cities are Bozeman, Helena, Billings, Kalispell, Great Falls, and the top counties are Madison County, Beaverhead County, Teton County, Broadwater County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Montana have a state income tax?
Yes, Montana taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
