If you want your retirement to be calm and relaxing, Montana could be the place for you. This beautiful and safe Midwestern state has stunning scenery and thriving cities, perfect for active adults who enjoy wide-open spaces.
The Treasure State is a haven for retirees. NewHomeSource has identified the top seven cities to retire in Montana, according to Niche.com.
Top 7 Cities to Retire in Montana
1. Butte
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.7%
Median Home Value: $150,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 129
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,468
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Montana mountains are a storehouse of many types of gems and minerals. Butte’s rich history as a mining town makes this a lively city to call home. Retirees can visit the World Museum of Mining to learn about the state’s geology and mining history. When March rolls around, you will want to have a front-row seat at the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade.
2. Great Falls
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.4%
Median Home Value: $176,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 302
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 3,405
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Great Falls is truly a great place for retirees, especially those who are nature enthusiasts. This northern city is surrounded by bountiful gardens, sweeping mountain views, and freshwater springs that will keep nature-lovers spellbound. The 60-mile River’s Edge Trail provides a route throughout the town and even connects many of the town’s top attractions and public parks.
3. Billings
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%
Median Home Value: $221,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 675
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 4,499
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Although Billings is Montana’s largest city, it is still one of the best places to enjoy your retirement years. Billings is encircled by wide, public spaces that are magnets for those who are into hiking and mountain biking. You will find an abundance of state parks sprinkled around the city, giving you plenty of environments to explore. Be sure to check out more than 100 cave paintings in the Pictograph Cave State Park.
4. Kalispell
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.1%
Median Home Value: $233,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 102
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 821
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
This retiree-friendly community is perfect for those who want to leave behind the crowds to enjoy all nature has to offer. Kalispell is surrounded by mountains and lakes that offer hiking trails and fishing spots, as well as thrilling slopes for skiing in the winter. The local shops, galleries, and restaurants down the main drag keep this city’s friendly atmosphere alive.
5. Helena
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.3%
Median Home Value: $244,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 190
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,400
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Helena was established as the capital city during the days of the gold rush. Retirees may not find any actual gold, but they will find living in Helena to be golden. One popular place is Reeder’s Alley, the fully immersive 1870s neighborhood. Step back in time and amble along an intact area of old Helena when it was a settlement town for miners and their families. It is only one superb reason why Helena is the perfect place for a relaxing retirement.
6. Missoula
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.8%
Median Home Value: $279,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 310
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 3,082
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Retirees will find Missoula’s wide-open spaces packed with plenty of activities to keep you busy and active in your golden years. Missoula is nestled alongside Lolo National Forest where people can hike, fish, camp, and enjoy winter sports. This exciting city with museums, shops, and historic architecture gives Missoula its unique feel.
7. Bozeman
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 9.2%
Median Home Value: $365,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 130
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 950
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1
Bozeman is an idyllic place for nature-loves to retire. The spacious outdoors offer plenty of popular activities, including fly fishing, hiking, biking trails, rock climbing, skiing, and hunting. Bozeman’s friendly community is part of what makes this city so inviting.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Common Questions About Retiring in Montana
Is Montana a good place for retirees?
Depending on your specific financial circumstances, you may find it very friendly or very unfriendly. For starters, the state has no sales tax, which lowers living costs for everyone. It also has relatively low property taxes..
Is Montana tax-friendly for retirees?
Montana is moderately tax-friendly toward retirees. Social Security income is partially taxed. Withdrawals from retirement accounts are fully taxed.
Other Montana Resources
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
The 10 Best Places to Retire in Georgia in 2021