Living in Montana offers a variety of highlights, with its breathtaking landscapes of the majestic Rocky Mountains, vast prairies, and pristine lakes, all providing endless opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and skiing. The state’s charming small towns and cities like Missoula and Bozeman offer a blend of Western hospitality, arts, and cultural experiences.
If Montana sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious what cities fit into your budget. When it comes to buying a home in Montana, the median list price is $522,600.
Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 7 of the most affordable places to live in Montana – and they all have a median list price under $522,600. From Laurel to Columbia Falls, read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to this year.
#1: Great Falls
Median home price: $315,000
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $995
Median household income: $58,272
Great Falls, MT homes for sale
Great Falls, MT apartments for rent
Taking the first spot on our list of affordable cities to live in Montana is Great Falls. When living in this city of 60,400 people, you can check out the artwork at the C. M. Russell Museum, visit one of the riverfront 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
Laurel, MT apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $319,900, Laurel comes in at number two on our list of most affordable places to live in Montana. There are about 7,800 residents living in this small city. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore downtown Laurel, visit Thompson Park, and check out the views at Sundance Lodge Recreation Area.
#3: Lockwood
Median home price: $344,500
Median household income: $73,625
Lockwood, MT homes for sale
Lockwood, MT apartments for rent
Claiming the third spot on our list of affordable places to live in Montana is Lockwood. With a population of roughly 7,300, you’ll be living in a smaller city, but there is no shortage of things to experience in Lockwood. Don’t miss out on visiting Two Moon Park along the Yellowstone River or explore the Four Dances Recreation Area once moving 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, MT homes for sale
Billings, MT apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Lockwood is the city of Billings. With roughly 117,400 residents in Billings, make sure to check out downtown Billings where you’ll find museums like Yellowstone Art Museum and the Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum, and visit the Riverfront Park along the Yellowstone River.
#5: Evergreen
Median home price: $479,500
Median household income: $68,039
Evergreen, MT homes for sale
Evergreen, MT apartments for rent
Another noteworthy city is Evergreen, where the home prices are about $140K less than the state’s average. Evergreen has about 8,500 residents and is a great city to consider renting or buying a house this year. There are lots of activities to do in this city. You can camp at one of the campgrounds, explore nearby Lone Pine State Park, or check out the town of Kalispell, among many other 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
Helena, MT apartments for rent
Another great affordable town to consider moving to is Helena. Home to 33,100 residents, this charming area can be a great option to add to your list. Living in Helena, you can explore downtown Helena where you’ll find Reeder’s Alley, the Original Governor’s Mansion, and Holter Museum of Art, see the Montana State Capitol, and hike Mount Helena and Mount Ascension Park.
#7: Kalispell
Median home price: $520,000
Median household income: $57,123
Kalispell, MT homes for sale
Kalispell, MT apartments for rent
The final city to make our list of affordable places to live in Montana is Kalispell. About 26,100 people live in Kalispell, located north of Flathead Lake. Popular things to do in Kalispell include visiting the charming downtown area and seeing museums like the Northwest Montana History Museum and Glacier Museum of Art, exploring Lone Pine State Park, or taking a road trip to Glacier National Park.
Methodology: All cities must have over 5,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the median list price in Montana. Median home sale price from the Redfin Data Center during April 2025. Average rental data from Rent.com April 2025. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.