Compare Montana towns side by side

Missoula vs Three Forks

Montana Town Comparison

Missoula
The Garden City
Three Forks
The Headwaters City

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

OverviewMissoulaThree Forks
Population77,7571,989
Elevation3,215 ft4,075 ft
CountyMissoula CountyGallatin County
RegionWestern MontanaCentral Montana
Climate
January Avg High36°F37°F
January Avg Low20°F20°F
July Avg High87°F85°F
July Avg Low58°F57°F
Annual Precipitation18.7"18.1"
Annual Snowfall18.3"18.7"
Housing & Cost of Living (ACS 2019–2023)
Typical Home Value$547,072$535,753
Typical Rent$1,526/mo$1,263/mo
Median Household Income$65,329$80,394
Access & Education
Nearest AirportMissoula (7 mi)Bozeman (25 mi)
Zip Code5980759752
School DistrictMissoula County Public SchoolsThree Forks Public Schools
Enrollment~9,000~500

Outdoor Recreation & Attractions (within 30 mi)

Missoula: 208 sites | Three Forks: 92 sites

CategoryMissoulaThree Forks
🚣 Boat Launch11
Campground226
📍 Disc Golf41
🐟 Fishing Access6526
Golf65
📜 Historic Site91
♨️ Hot Spring24
🏞️ Lake1313
🏛️ Museum1010
🌲 National Forest1
📍 Nature Reserve72
🎣 River31
⛷️ Ski Area1
🌳 State Park86
🥾 Trailhead4914
👀 Viewpoint22
💧 Waterfall2
🏕️ Wilderness2
🦅 Wildlife Refuge1
Explore MissoulaExplore Three Forks
Moving to Missoula Guide →Moving to Three Forks Guide →
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