10 Montana Towns with the Best Housing Availability

10 Montana Towns with the Best Housing Availability

Where You Can Actually Find a Home to Buy

Montana's housing market has been notoriously tight in recent years, with bidding wars and limited inventory frustrating buyers across the state. But not every town is equally competitive. We ranked Montana communities by current housing availability using real-time Zillow inventory data and Census vacancy rates to help you find towns where homes are actually on the market.

#1
StevensvilleMontana's First Settlement
Pop. 1,337

Stevensville currently has 73 homes for sale (54.6 per 1,000 residents, up 17.7% from last year). With 997 total housing units and a 10.8% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 73 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 54.6Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 10.8%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $630,927Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#2
TroyThe Yaak River Gateway
Pop. 985

Troy currently has 48 homes for sale (48.7 per 1,000 residents, up 2.1% from last year). With 388 total housing units and a 17.3% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 48 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 48.7Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 17.3%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $426,032Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#3
EurekaTobacco Valley — Montana's Northern Banana Belt
Pop. 1,380

Eureka currently has 68 homes for sale (49.3 per 1,000 residents, up 6.3% from last year). With 694 total housing units and a 9.9% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 68 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 49.3Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 9.9%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $536,968Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#4
EnnisThe Trout Capital of Montana
Pop. 917

Ennis currently has 41 homes for sale (44.7 per 1,000 residents, up 41.4% from last year). With 403 total housing units and a 25.8% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 41 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 44.7Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 25.8%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $652,732Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#5
CascadeThe Little Town on the Missouri
Pop. 572

Cascade currently has 22 homes for sale (38.5 per 1,000 residents, down 4.3% from last year). With 345 total housing units and a 19.7% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 22 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 38.5Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 19.7%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $412,314Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#6
Big SkyThe Biggest Skiing in America
Pop. 3,591

Big Sky currently has 115 homes for sale (32 per 1,000 residents, up 9.5% from last year). With 3,118 total housing units and a 64.9% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 115 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 32Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 64.9%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $1,869,170Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#7
Hot SpringsMontana's Natural Spa
Pop. 557

Hot Springs currently has 17 homes for sale (30.5 per 1,000 residents, up 112.5% from last year). With 357 total housing units and a 23.5% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 17 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 30.5Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 23.5%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $268,623Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#8
PhilipsburgMontana's Silver Town
Pop. 841

Philipsburg currently has 27 homes for sale (32.1 per 1,000 residents, up 35% from last year). With 567 total housing units and a 25% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 27 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 32.1Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 25%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $471,034Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#9
BeltThe Little Belt Gateway
Pop. 515

Belt currently has 15 homes for sale (29.1 per 1,000 residents, up 50% from last year). With 255 total housing units and a 20.4% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 15 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 29.1Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 20.4%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $403,371Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.
#10
DarbyWhere the Bitterroot Begins
Pop. 783

Darby currently has 24 homes for sale (30.7 per 1,000 residents, up 4.3% from last year). With 354 total housing units and a 17.5% vacancy rate, buyers have more options here than in most Montana communities.

For Sale: 24 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.Per 1,000: 30.7Homes for sale per 1,000 residents. Higher values generally mean more inventory relative to town size.Vacancy: 17.5%Share of housing units that are vacant. A bit of vacancy can make it easier to find a place; very low vacancy can mean a tight market.Home Value: $584,485Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by a housing availability score combining: Zillow for-sale inventory per 1,000 residents (×3 weight, higher means more options relative to town size), Census vacancy rate (×2, higher means more housing turnover), and year-over-year inventory change (×1, increasing inventory is positive). Data from Zillow Research and U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates. Towns without sufficient data were excluded. See collection dates below.

Data last collected: Zillow Research (Jan 2026), U.S. Census ACS (Jul 2026), FBI UCR (Mar 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jul 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jul 2026), EPA NPL (Jul 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

Explore More Rankings

Most Affordable TownsBest Outdoor RecreationBest Ski TownsBest Fly Fishing TownsTowns Near Hot SpringsBest Small TownsNear Glacier & YellowstoneBest for RetireesBest ClimateBest for FamiliesBest for Young ProfessionalsBest for Digital Nomads
View this ranking in the site graph →
View All Rankings

Where to Stay in Montana

Vacation Rentalsvia VRBOHotelsvia Expedia

Affiliate links help support this site at no extra cost to you

Related Reading

Montana winter landscapeGuide
Living in Montana vs. Visiting: What Changes
The Montana you visit for a week and the Montana you live in year-round are two different places. Here's what actually changes when you stay.
Mar 21, 2026
Montana rural roadGuide
Montana Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules
The unwritten social code of Montana, from the two-finger wave to gate etiquette, that separates visitors from neighbors.
Mar 21, 2026
Montana rural landscapeMontana Facts
Montana Slang and Expressions You Should Know
From 'Montucky' to 'blue-bird day,' these are the words and phrases that mark you as a local in Big Sky Country.
Mar 21, 2026