Living in Montana offers a range of highlights with breathtaking scenery of majestic rocky mountains, vast grasslands and untouched lakes, all offering endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, skiing and more. The state’s charming small towns and cities like Missoula and Bozeman offer a blend of Western hospitality, artistic and cultural experiences.
If Montana sounds like a state to you, you may also be interested in which city fits your budget. When it comes to buying a Montana home, the median plane price is $522,600.
Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget. We have options that will help you find a home or apartment to do so. Redfin has compiled a list of seven of the most affordable places to live in Montana. They all have a median price of less than $522,600. Read about the cities you’d like to consider moving to this year, from Laurel to Columbia Falls.
#1: Great Falls
Median home price: $315,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $995
Median household income: $58,272
Great Falls, Mount Homes Sale
Mount Apartments Rental, Great Falls
Taking the first place to live in Montana, which is on the list of affordable cities, is a great waterfall. When you live in this city of 60,400 people, check out the artwork at the CM Russell Museum, visit one of the riverside parks, like West Bank Park, and see the historic architecture in downtown Great Falls.
#2: Laurel
Median home price: $319,900
Median household income: $62,250
Laurel, MT Homes For Sale
MT Apartments Rental Laurel
The median home selling price is $319,900, making Laurel second on the list of the most affordable locations in Montana. The small city has around 7,800 residents. If you are considering moving to this area, explore downtown Laurel, access Thompson Park and see views of the Sundance Lodge Recreation Area.
#3: Rockwood
Median home price: $344,500
Median household income: $73,625
Rockwood, MT Homes For Sale
MT Apartments Rental Rockwood
It is Lockwood who claims the third spot on the list of affordable locations to live in Montana. The population is around 7,300 people and you live in a small city, but you won’t be short on experiences in Rockwood. Don’t miss visiting two Moon Parks along the Yellowstone River, or exploring four dance recreation areas once you’ve moved to the area.
#4: Billings
Median home price: $359,900
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,317
Median household income: $58,272
Billings, Mount Homes Sale
Apartments for Billings, Mount Apartments
A little more expensive than Lockwood is the town of Billings. Billings has around 117,400 residents, so find museums such as the Yellowstone Museum of Art and the Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum, visit Riverfront Park along the Yellowstone River and check out Billings downtown Billings.
#5: Evergreen
Median home price: $479,500
Median household income: $68,039
Evergreen, Mt Homes for Sale
Evergreen, MT Apartments Rental
Another notable city is evergreen, with home prices around $140,000 less than the state average. Evergreen has around 8,500 residents, making it the perfect city to consider renting or buying a home this year. There’s a lot to do in this town. You can camp at one of the campsites, explore nearby Lone Pine State Park, or check out the town of Kalispell, among your local favorites.
#6: Helena
Median home price: $495,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,815
Median household income: $58,272
Helena, MT Homes For Sale
MT Apartments Rental Helena
Another affordable town is Helena. With 33,100 residents, this charming area is a great option to add to your list. Living in Helena, explore downtown Helena to see the former governor’s mansion, Leader’s Alley, the Halter Museum, the Montana State Capitol building, Mount Helena and Mount Ascension Park.
#7: Kalispell
Median home price: $520,000
Median household income: $57,123
Kalispell, Mt Homes For Sale
MT Apartments Rental, Kalispell
The last city to create a list of affordable locations to live in Montana is Kalispell. Located north of Flathead Lake, Kalispell lives around 26,100 people. Popular things in Kalispell include visiting the charming downtown area, seeing museums like the history museum and glacier museums in northwestern Montana, exploring Lone Pine State Park, and taking a road trip to Glacier National Park.
Methodology: Every city must have more than 5,000 residents per US census and have a median home selling price under the Montana median price. Median home sales prices from Redfin data centers in April 2025. Average rental data from Rent.com for April 2025. Median household income data provided by the US Census Bureau.
