11 Best Places To Retire In Montana

When it comes time to retire, you may be in search of a place to call your own that you value like precious gems, which is why you should consider a home in The Treasure State, Montana. With the average home value in Montana sitting at roughly $457,000 according to Zillow, there are plenty of great, affordable towns to retire to. The best part of Montana is that whether you love the great outdoors, taking in some art and history, or a bit of peace, there is bound to be an excellent home for just about anyone who makes Montana a part of their retirement plan.

Butte

Head on down to Butte in the summer for a history-filled trolley tour on The Butte Trolley, and stay for affordable homes that will set you back roughly $275,000 and a township that has a population of approximately 35,000.

If you enjoy all that history and want a bigger taste of what makes the region so special, visit the World Museum of Mining and the Mineral Museum to learn all about the kinds of work that went on over a hundred years ago. Once you've finished with the museums, you can also head out to find the Copper King Mansion for a glimpse into how the rich lived back in the 1880s. An additional surprise for fans of Evel Knievel is that it is possible to visit his final resting place in Butte to pay your respects.

Dillon

Though Dillon indeed comes with a higher value of roughly $375,000 for the average home, the trade-off here is a much smaller population of just over 4,000, so if you value a small-town feel, Dillon might be worth considering. The lower population also makes a difference if you consider yourself a bit of a fisher, as you are right near the Beaverhead River, and Frontier Anglers Fly Shop is more than happy to help you get started.

The town is loaded with great places to eat, including places like Sparky’s Garage, a restaurant that strives to mimic the feel of a 1950s car garage, but if you prefer a nice drink, check out Beaverhead Brewing Company. If health considerations are on your mind, the town has Barrett Hospital, meaning you are never too far from receiving any required medical assistance.

Anaconda

If you want a town big enough for a walkable downtown core, Anaconda, with its township population of under 10,000, offers a wide range of homes, with the average price in Anaconda sitting at roughly $280,000. A quick trip to the historic district of the town will take you to the Hearst Free Library, or you could make a quick stop at the Washoe Theatre to take in a movie in a theatre that first opened in 1936.

If you can’t get enough of the history and beauty of the area, stop in at the Copper Village Museum to uncover their latest art exhibit. Even better, the town features the Old Works Golf Course, allowing golf enthusiasts to play on what some consider one of the best courses in the world.

Glendive

A town with a low population of roughly 4,700 people and affordable home values, averaging $186,000, makes Glendive a tempting option for retirement. Glendive is sure to be a massive draw for people who love dinosaurs, considering it is home to the Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum, though you should make sure you check the museum’s schedule to ensure it is open when you’d like to visit.

Don’t forget also to explore the Frontier Gateway Museum to gain a better understanding of life in the region many years ago, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits to discover. If you want the perfect place to unwind, take in a view of the Bell Street Bridge, a bridge that passes over the iconic Yellowstone River.

Miles City

Despite Miles City having been established since 1876, the historic city boasts excellent home values, with an average price of just under $229,000 and a population of approximately 8,500.

Museum lovers are in luck here, as the town is home to both the 1939-founded Range Riders Museum, which allows you to uncover the history of dinosaurs and the ancient peoples of the area, and the WaterWorks Art Museum, featuring a whole host of exquisite exhibits. You can continue a day of seeking out history with a stop at Vintage and Rustics in Montana, a huge vendor mall with more vendors than you could ever dream of.

Havre

Those seeking wonderfully quirky towns may find value in Havre. This city boasts Havre Beneath The Streets, a guided tour of the town's underground areas, where many business owners operated after a devastating fire. Living in a place like that, with roughly 9,200 people and an average home value of around $225,000, might be an incredible option for some.

Another unique event is to pay a visit to the H. Earl Clack Museum, and if in season, experience a tour of the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump to learn more about the importance of the ancient site. Those who require regular health screenings will be pleased to know that they can access Northern Montana Health Care for a range of health services.

Cut Bank

Suppose you are looking for a small town that still exudes vibrant energy. In that case, you are in luck, as you get to experience Cut Bank, with a low population of roughly 3,000, and average home values for the area at approximately $174,000.

Those who want to be able to practice their fishing in retirement will be happy to have the Cut Bank Creek nearby, and if you can’t get a nibble, there’s always the Cut Bank Golf & Country Club to visit if you also want to work on your golf game. You can also embark on an adventure to find the Glacier County Museum, but be sure to take a moment to track down the massive Cut Bank Penguin statue, which offers an amusing piece of history from Cut Bank.

Shelby

Shelby may be a relatively small town, but it has a remarkable past, featuring a 1923 World Heavyweight Championship boxing bout between Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons. The city has a low population of roughly 3,300, and average home values of approximately $179,000, making it a wonderfully affordable option for those seeking a small-town feel.

Luckily, there is still plenty to do, including a visit to the Carousel Rest Area in Shelby to find a restored 1930s carousel. Few retirements are complete without golf, so you can take a short drive to the 18-hole Marias Valley Golf Course if that is your game of choice. If you want to enjoy the peace of the town while uncovering more history, visit the Marias Museum of History & Art to explore a bit more of what makes Shelby so special.

Forsyth

Those seeking to retire may have some concerns about moving to an area with a small population, like Forsyth, which has roughly 1,600 people. However, fortunately, the Rosebud Health Care Center is situated in the northeastern part of town. With average home values at $207,000, Forsyth stands out as an affordable small town.

Though it is only a 9-hole course, you do have the nearby Forsyth Golf & Country Club to entertain yourself. Those who want to learn more about the history of their new home will want to explore the Rosebud County Pioneer Museum, but you could also stop in for a movie at the Roxy Theatre or go antiquing at Rusty Dog Antiques.

Philipsburg

Although it was once an 18th-century mining town, Philipsburg has since evolved into a small yet affordable city in Montana. Although it ranks as the town with the highest home values on this list, at roughly $427,000, its population of under 1,000 may make it uniquely interesting for some retirees.

Spend your time exploring the exhibits at the Granite County Museum or the Montana Law Enforcement Museum before heading over to Gem Mountain to try to find your own sapphires. However, check online first to ensure everything is open, depending on when you arrive. For theatre lovers, take in a show at the historic Philipsburg Theatre, a location that has been standing since 1891.

Deer Lodge

This haven for homesteaders currently has a population of roughly 3,000 and average home values of approximately $274,000, making it a potentially ideal retirement destination. There are a whole host of museums to explore when they are open to the public, including the Old Montana Prison & Auto Museum Complex, the Powell County Museum, and the Cottonwood City Pioneer Town Exhibit.

If the rich history of the area is not your thing, you can always try your luck at the Deer Lodge Golf Course or Victory Lanes if you prefer bowling. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Grant-Kohrs Ranch to experience what a 19th-century ranch might have been like.

No matter how far and how wide you look around the state of Montana, it is going to be tough to find better destinations for an affordable price and a worthwhile retirement. Thanks to the natural beauty of Montana, you have no shortage of unique and historic towns to choose from. Though many of the affordable options in Montana do tend to have smaller populations, something like fewer people around might be just what you need to unwind in the next chapter of your life. Whether you consider Deer Lodge, Shelby, Butte, or any other location in the state, your next home is sure to be situated in a place you can be proud to say has a lot of charm.