Compare Montana towns side by side

Missoula vs Circle

Montana Town Comparison

Missoula
The Garden City
Circle
Where the Big Sky Begins

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

OverviewMissoulaCircle
Population77,757560
Elevation3,215 ft2,434 ft
CountyMissoula CountyMcCone County
RegionWestern MontanaEastern Montana
Climate
January Avg High36°F33°F
January Avg Low20°F16°F
July Avg High87°F86°F
July Avg Low58°F63°F
Annual Precipitation18.7"14.3"
Annual Snowfall18.3"11.8"
Housing & Cost of Living (ACS 2019–2023)
Typical Home Value$547,072$226,945
Typical Rent$1,526/mo$545/mo
Median Household Income$65,329$81,250
Access & Education
Nearest AirportMissoula (7 mi)Glendive (50 mi)
Zip Code5980759215
School DistrictMissoula County Public SchoolsCircle Public Schools
Enrollment~9,000~140

Outdoor Recreation & Attractions (within 30 mi)

Missoula: 208 sites | Circle: 5 sites

CategoryMissoulaCircle
🚣 Boat Launch1
Campground22
📍 Disc Golf4
🐟 Fishing Access65
Golf6
📜 Historic Site9
♨️ Hot Spring2
🏞️ Lake133
🏛️ Museum102
🌲 National Forest1
📍 Nature Reserve7
🎣 River3
⛷️ Ski Area1
🌳 State Park8
🥾 Trailhead49
👀 Viewpoint2
💧 Waterfall2
🏕️ Wilderness2
🦅 Wildlife Refuge1
Explore MissoulaExplore Circle
Moving to Missoula Guide →Moving to Circle Guide →
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