6 Most Comfortable Montana Towns For Seniors For 2025
Retirement is a time of profound transition when we slow down, take stock, and prepare for the next phase of life. Seniors looking forward to a change of pace will find it in Montana, known for its friendly residents, welcoming communities, breathtaking natural beauty, and affordable cost of living.
For budget-conscious seniors, Montana is a great choice. There is no sales tax and relatively low property taxes, so your money can go further in retirement. At the time of writing, the state’s effective property tax rate is 0.79%, compared to the national average of 0.90%. Montana also has no inheritance or estate taxes to worry about. Another bonus for seniors is the high standard of the state’s healthcare. Montana received an A+ grade for senior healthcare quality in a 2025 study from Seniorsite.
These six Montana communities are comfortable, affordable, and packed with options for entertainment and recreation. If you are looking for somewhere to spend your golden years in 2025, the Treasure State might just be your dream home.
Butte
A scenic town in southwest Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Butte began as a mining camp. Nowadays, it is a lively town, surrounded by stunning landscapes that gave Montana its "Big Sky" nickname. For those looking to purchase a home, the median listing home price in Butte is $339,000 according to Realtor.com. The town is also home to St James, a 67-bed hospital that serves southwestern Montana with 24-hour care and specialty services.
Butte is known as a great town for lovers of the arts. One of the best venues downtown is the historic Mother Lode Theatre, built in 1923 in an ornate style with Masonic architectural elements. The performing arts theatre has a regular line-up of plays, classical concerts, dance performances, and live music.
Enjoy more entertainment at the Belmont Senior Center, which offers services to seniors in the Butte community. Its busy schedule includes social lunches, exercise classes, crafting workshops, and seasonal events. The 18-hole golf course at Butte Country Club is also a great place to meet fellow seniors and enjoy a few hours on the fairway.
Helena
Helena was named the territorial capital of Montana in 1875. Despite its relatively large size, the town has retained its historic roots, friendly atmosphere, and quiet charm. The median listing home price in Helena is $550,000, and there is easy access to healthcare services with St Peter’s Hospital right in town.
Downtown has plenty to keep residents entertained. Check out the Holter Museum of Art for rotating exhibits of local and regional contemporary art. The museum contains fseveral exhibition galleries and an education center where members of the public can sign up for art classes and workshops.
After a busy day browsing art, relax and recharge at Broadwater Hot Springs, which has five pools maintained at a balmy temperature between 97 and 102 degrees. The center also offers fitness classes, including water aerobics and swimming lessons, and has a restaurant on site.
The Helena Senior Center is a welcoming meeting spot for seniors looking to socialize. Members can enjoy a daily lunch, as well as a special celebration on their birthday, and group activities including exercise classes, bingo, card games, and dancing.
Libby
Located in northern Montana, Libby is a good choice for seniors who prefer rural, close-knit communities and want a quiet but active retirement, close to nature. For those looking to purchase a home, the median listing home price in Libby is $449,000. It may be remote, but Libby still has access to healthcare services. The Cabinet Peaks Medical Center has emergency care facilities and a Senior Life Solutions program designed to meet the needs of older adults.
Seniors who love to hike will find plenty of dazzling trails around Libby. The town is the gateway to the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area and the Kootenai National Forest, both of which boast pristine wilderness and incredible views. The Libby Area Chamber & Visitor Information Center can provide you with trail maps and information on which hikes are accessible and suitable for senior hikers.
Libby is also a prime fishing destination. Local operators Kootenai Angler have been in business for more than 40 years and can help guide you to the best spots along the Kootenai River so you can practice your fly fishing with the experts.
Get to know Libby’s fascinating history at the Heritage Museum, a 12-sided log building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This unusual museum traces Libby’s history back to its early settlement and through the growth of its mining and logging industries.
Glendive
Glendive is a waterfront town on the pretty Yellowstone River in eastern Montana. The median listing home price in Glendive is currently $264,900, making it a relatively affordable option for seniors seeking housing. The town has good access to healthcare via the Glendive Medical Center, which offers emergency care and full medical services.
The town also has convenient access to beautiful trails and picnic areas at Makoshika State Park, southeast of downtown. Montana’s largest state park, Makoshika, showcases the stunning badlands landscape and is home to several dinosaur fossils, scenic drives, and hiking paths.
For more outdoor activity, visit the Cottonwood Country Club, where you will find a 9-hole golf course open to members and the public. The Club has a driving range, practice green, pro shop, patio, and golfers’ lounge.
The Frontier Gateway Museum is a must for anyone interested in the long, tumultuous history of the Midwest. Free to visit, the museum features exhibits on frontier life, prehistoric finds, the area’s early settlers, and more.
Hamilton
Hamilton is the largest community in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, framed by the towering peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains. It has a walkable downtown core and a strong community spirit. The median listing home price in Hamilton is $699,900, and it has several medical centers and urgent care facilities.
Take a trip to two of Hamilton’s most well-known historical attractions to get to know the town better. The Daly Mansion is a stunning stately home built in the 1880s and remodelled in the Queen Anne style. Now a museum, the mansion is open for public tours. The Ravalli County Museum & Historical Society has several exhibits on topics such as 1880s homesteading, vintage tools, and a Children’s Discovery room perfect for the grandkids. The museum is also a community hub that regularly hosts seasonal events. The Hamilton Senior Center is another busy venue where seniors can get together for lunch, a game of mahjong, or an exercise class.
Havre
A buzzing college town, Havre is a welcoming community with a laidback feel and plenty to keep retirees occupied. The median listing home price in Havre is $238,800, and the nearest medical facility, the Northern Montana Hospital, is centrally located in town.
One of Havre’s quirkiest features is its underground ‘city.’ Take the Havre Beneath The Streets Tour to see where Havre’s businesses relocated after a devastating fire swept the community in the early 1900s. Barber shops, saloons, and even the town’s opium den went underground while Havre was rebuilt, and they have all been painstakingly recreated beneath the modern-day streets.
Visit Fort Assinniboine to see what life was like above ground, in Montana’s largest military outpost built in 1879. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the fort is open for guided tours during the summer months.
Havre has several scenic recreation spots where seniors can take walks, enjoy picnics, or spend the day fishing. The Fresno Reservoir, a few miles west of town, offers 65 miles of shoreline to explore, while Beaver Creek Park to the south has a range of hiking trails and is a popular spot for berry picking when the fruit is in season.
Moving to Montana
Big Sky Country has no shortage of small-town charm. That western hospitality, combined with good healthcare, affordable properties, and senior-friendly amenities, makes Montana one to watch for anyone approaching retirement age. Some destinations, like Libby, are suitable for active seniors who want somewhere with access to the outdoors and can handle northern Montana’s cold and snowy winters. Others may prefer towns such as Havre, where they can browse the busy downtowns and participate in community events. Whatever your perfect retirement looks like, you will find it in Montana’s many comfortable communities.
