Compare Montana towns side by side

Circle vs Missoula

Montana Town Comparison

Circle
Where the Big Sky Begins
Missoula
The Garden City

A side-by-side comparison to help you decide which Montana community is right for you.

OverviewCircleMissoula
Population56077,757
Elevation2,434 ft3,215 ft
CountyMcCone CountyMissoula County
RegionEastern MontanaWestern Montana
Climate
January Avg High33°F36°F
January Avg Low16°F20°F
July Avg High86°F87°F
July Avg Low63°F58°F
Annual Precipitation14.3"18.7"
Annual Snowfall11.8"18.3"
Housing & Cost of Living (ACS 2019–2023)
Typical Home Value$226,945$547,072
Typical Rent$545/mo$1,526/mo
Median Household Income$81,250$65,329
Access & Education
Nearest AirportGlendive (50 mi)Missoula (7 mi)
Zip Code5921559807
School DistrictCircle Public SchoolsMissoula County Public Schools
Enrollment~140~9,000

Outdoor Recreation & Attractions (within 30 mi)

Circle: 5 sites | Missoula: 208 sites

CategoryCircleMissoula
🚣 Boat Launch1
Campground22
📍 Disc Golf4
🐟 Fishing Access65
Golf6
📜 Historic Site9
♨️ Hot Spring2
🏞️ Lake313
🏛️ Museum210
🌲 National Forest1
📍 Nature Reserve7
🎣 River3
⛷️ Ski Area1
🌳 State Park8
🥾 Trailhead49
👀 Viewpoint2
💧 Waterfall2
🏕️ Wilderness2
🦅 Wildlife Refuge1
Explore CircleExplore Missoula
Moving to Circle Guide →Moving to Missoula Guide →
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