10 Best Montana Towns for Digital Nomads

10 Best Montana Towns for Digital Nomads

Remote Work Meets the Last Best Place

Montana is emerging as an appealing destination for digital nomads and remote workers. Affordable housing compared to coastal cities, no state sales tax, world-class outdoor recreation, and access to larger regional service centers make Big Sky Country a compelling home base. Whether you're a freelancer, remote employee, or location-independent entrepreneur, these Montana towns offer the best combination of airport access, cost of living, and the legendary Montana lifestyle.

Town Match

Find your Montana remote-work base

Dial airport access, affordability, outdoors, social life, and shopping. The town list re-ranks as you drag.

#1
GlendiveThe Paddlefish Capital of the World
Pop. 4,873

Glendive combines very affordable living (2.9x ratio) with 7.7/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Glendive (Dawson) is 6 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 8.8/10. Population: 4,873.

Airport: 6 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 2.9xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 7.7/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 4,873How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#2
ButteThe Richest Hill on Earth
Pop. 34,494

Butte combines affordable living (5x ratio) with 9.4/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Bert Mooney (Butte) is 5 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Population: 34,494.

Airport: 5 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 5xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9.4/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 34,494How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#3
BillingsThe Magic City
Pop. 117,116

Billings combines moderate living (5.6x ratio) with 7.9/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Billings Logan Intl is 5 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 2.3/10. Population: 117,116.

Airport: 5 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 5.6xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 7.9/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 117,116How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#4
BelgradeThe Hub of the Gallatin Valley
Pop. 12,509

Belgrade combines moderate living (6.2x ratio) with 9.4/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Bozeman Yellowstone Intl is 5 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by construction. Safety: 7.2/10. Population: 12,509.

Airport: 5 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 6.2xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9.4/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 12,509How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#5
Great FallsThe Electric City
Pop. 60,000

Great Falls combines moderate living (5.4x ratio) with 9/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Great Falls Intl is 5 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 1/10. Population: 60,000.

Airport: 5 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 5.4xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 60,000How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#6
GlasgowMontana's Great Getaway
Pop. 3,190

Glasgow combines very affordable living (2.1x ratio) with 8.1/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Glasgow (Wokal Field) is 5 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 7/10. Population: 3,190.

Airport: 5 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 2.1xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 8.1/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 3,190How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#7
BozemanThe Gallatin Gateway
Pop. 58,000

Bozeman combines moderate living (9.2x ratio) with 9.5/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Bozeman Yellowstone Intl is 10 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 6.2/10. Population: 58,000.

Airport: 10 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 9.2xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9.5/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 58,000How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#8
KalispellThe Gateway to Glacier Country
Pop. 29,886

Kalispell combines moderate living (9.1x ratio) with 9.7/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Glacier Park Intl (Kalispell) is 10 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 5.2/10. Population: 29,886.

Airport: 10 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 9.1xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9.7/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 29,886How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#9
MissoulaThe Garden City
Pop. 77,757

Missoula combines moderate living (8.8x ratio) with 9.7/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Missoula Intl is 7 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 2.7/10. Population: 77,757.

Airport: 7 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 8.8xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9.7/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 77,757How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#10
HelenaThe Queen City of the Rockies
Pop. 33,100

Helena combines moderate living (7x ratio) with 9.4/10 recreation access, making it a strong remote work base in Montana. Helena Regional is 5 miles away for easy travel. The local economy is anchored by education & healthcare. Safety: 3.8/10. Population: 33,100.

Airport: 5 miDistance to the nearest commercial airport. Closer usually means easier travel in and out.Affordability: 7xHow expensive homes are compared with local incomes. A lower number (like 3x) usually means housing is more stretch-friendly than a higher one (like 6x).Rec Score: 9.4/10Outdoor recreation score from 0–10 based on variety, quality, and closeness of trails, parks, rivers, lakes, and similar spots within about 30 miles.Population: 33,100How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by a composite digital nomad score: internet infrastructure (population as broadband availability proxy, ×5), airport access (road miles to nearest commercial airport, ×4), affordability (price-to-income ratio, ×3), outdoor recreation (diversity and proximity of sites, ×3), safety (FBI UCR crime rates, ×2), climate mildness (January lows, ×2), and community amenities (healthcare, cafes, coworking proxy via population density, ×1). Towns under 2,000 population excluded due to unreliable broadband.

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 Housing Availability
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