Compare Montana towns side by side

Virginia City vs Colstrip

Montana Town Comparison

Virginia City
Montana's Living Ghost Town
Colstrip
Montana's Energy Capital

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

OverviewVirginia CityColstrip
Population1482,055
Elevation5,778 ft3,238 ft
CountyMadison CountyRosebud County
RegionCentral MontanaEastern Montana
Climate
January Avg High29°F38°F
January Avg Low13°F22°F
July Avg High79°F87°F
July Avg Low54°F63°F
Annual Precipitation20.1"15.6"
Annual Snowfall26.2"14.6"
Housing & Cost of Living (ACS 2019–2023)
Typical Home Value$288,600$220,250
Median Rent$875/mo$632/mo
Median Household Income$86,000
Access & Education
Nearest AirportBozeman (61 mi)Billings (111 mi)
Zip Code5975559323
School DistrictVirginia City Public SchoolsColstrip Public Schools
Enrollment~40~500

Outdoor Recreation & Attractions (within 30 mi)

Virginia City: 72 sites | Colstrip: 15 sites

CategoryVirginia CityColstrip
🚣 Boat Launch1
Campground9
📍 Disc Golf11
🐟 Fishing Access113
Golf22
📜 Historic Site51
♨️ Hot Spring2
🏞️ Lake82
🏛️ Museum93
📍 Nature Reserve6
🎣 River11
⛷️ Ski Area1
🌳 State Park12
🥾 Trailhead8
👀 Viewpoint1
💧 Waterfall4
🏕️ Wilderness2
Explore Virginia CityExplore Colstrip
Moving to Virginia City Guide →Moving to Colstrip Guide →
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