10 Most Affordable Towns in Montana

10 Most Affordable Towns in Montana

Where Your Dollar Goes Furthest in Big Sky Country

Montana's stunning landscapes don't have to come with a steep price tag. While towns like Bozeman and Whitefish have seen prices soar, many Montana communities still offer an affordable cost of living paired with incredible quality of life. We ranked every Montana town by affordability using median home values, rent, household income, and the critical price-to-income ratio.

#1
FlaxvilleThe Prairie Sentinel
Pop. 58

With a price-to-income ratio of 1x, Flaxville is extremely affordable. Located in Daniels County with a population of 58, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by construction.

Home Value: $98,200Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: ConstructionThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 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).Income: $102,727Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#2
DodsonThe Quiet Corner of the Hi-Line
Pop. 128

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.1x, Dodson is extremely affordable. Located in Phillips County with a population of 128, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by retail.

Home Value: $44,700Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: RetailThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.1xHow 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).Income: $41,172Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#3
HinghamThe Little Town on the Prairie
Pop. 127

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.1x, Hingham is extremely affordable. Located in Hill County with a population of 127, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by transportation.

Home Value: $93,800Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: TransportationThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.1xHow 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).Income: $85,000Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#4
FroidThe Gem of the Prairie
Pop. 180

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.2x, Froid is extremely affordable. Located in Roosevelt County with a population of 180, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by transportation.

Home Value: $85,000Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: TransportationThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.2xHow 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).Income: $70,750Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#5
BearcreekMontana's Mining Hamlet
Pop. 107

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.7x, Bearcreek is extremely affordable. Located in Carbon County with a population of 107, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by tourism & hospitality.

Home Value: $191,700Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: Tourism & HospitalityThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.7xHow 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).Income: $111,500Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#6
KevinThe Sunbelt of the Hi-Line
Pop. 108

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.7x, Kevin is extremely affordable. Located in Toole County with a population of 108, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by agriculture & mining.

Home Value: $60,800Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: Agriculture & MiningThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.7xHow 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).Income: $35,625Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#7
NashuaThe Fort Peck Gateway
Pop. 279

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.7x, Nashua is extremely affordable. Located in Valley County with a population of 279, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by government.

Home Value: $122,193Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: GovernmentThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.7xHow 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).Income: $72,500Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#8
SunburstThe Top of the Golden Triangle
Pop. 301

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.7x, Sunburst is extremely affordable. Located in Toole County with a population of 301, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by education & healthcare.

Home Value: $135,600Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: Education & HealthcareThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.7xHow 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).Income: $80,938Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.
#9
CulbertsonThe Trailhead of the Hi-Line
Pop. 706

With a price-to-income ratio of 1.8x, Culbertson is extremely affordable. Located in Roosevelt County with a population of 706, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by education & healthcare. There are currently 6 homes for sale.

Home Value: $190,147Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: Education & HealthcareThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 1.8xHow 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).For Sale: 6 homesHow many homes are currently listed for sale. More listings usually means more choices for buyers.
#10
OutlookThe Top of Montana
Pop. 51

With a price-to-income ratio of 2x, Outlook is extremely affordable. Located in Sheridan County with a population of 51, it offers small-town Montana living at a fraction of the cost of larger cities. The local economy is driven by agriculture & mining.

Home Value: $103,100Typical home price in this town (from Zillow or Census figures). Useful for comparing what it costs to buy here.Top Industry: Agriculture & MiningThe biggest local employer category—what many people in town work in.Affordability: 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).Income: $50,313Typical household income in this community. Helps put home prices in context.

How We Ranked These Towns

Rankings based on affordability ratio (median home value ÷ median household income), with preference for towns with lower absolute home values and rent. Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates and Zillow Home Value Index. Towns without sufficient housing 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.

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