MONTANA
Welcome to Montana!
Montana is attractive to homebuyers for its breathtaking natural beauty, wide open spaces, and slower pace of life. Known as “Big Sky Country,” Montana’s lower population density and expansive properties are a major draw. With a mix of small towns and growing cities like Bozeman and Missoula, Montana appeals to both nature lovers and remote workers looking for a high quality of life in a peaceful, scenic environment.

Top CHIPs for Montana
The Best Community Home Investment Programs for you.
Montana is a very welcoming place. One example of this is the availability of local and statewide Community Home Investment programs (CHIPs) that help make homeownership more accessible. And with Montana’s breathtaking landscapes, outdoor adventures, and close-knit communities, life here is anything but boring.

City of Billings - Home$tart
Get a head start on homeownership with the City of Billings Home$tart Program! Access up to cover your down payment and closing costs. This program is available for first-time homebuyers looking for a primary residence in Billings.

NeighborWorks Green Falls Home Purchase Assistance - Matched Savings Accounts
Boost your savings big time with the NeighborWorks Green Falls Home Purchase Assistance – Matched Savings Accounts. Save $1,000 and watch it grow to $4,000 toward your down payment. Whether your income is above or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, there are loan options to help you own.

Montana Board of Housing Plus 0% Deferred Down Payment Assistance Program
Start your journey to owning a home with the Montana Board of Housing Plus Program! You can get up to $15,000 to help with your down payment and closing costs. There’s no interest and no monthly payments, and you only need to pay it back if you sell, or refinance.

Home Purchase Assistance - HOME Deferred and Amortizing Second Mortgages
The NeighborWorks Great Falls Home Purchase Assistance Program offers $10,000 to help make your homeownership dreams a reality! You only need to repay if you sell, refinance, or move. Take the next step toward owning your home today!

Montana Board of Housing Bond Advantage Down Payment Assistance Program
Take the next step toward homeownership with the Montana Board of Housing Bond Advantage Program! Secure up to $15,000 for your down payment and closing costs, repayable over 15 years at a low, fixed interest rate. This program works statewide in Montana.

City of Billings - Home$tart
Get a head start on homeownership with the City of Billings Home$tart Program! Access up to cover your down payment and closing costs. This program is available for first-time homebuyers looking for a primary residence in Billings.

NeighborWorks Green Falls Home Purchase Assistance - Matched Savings Accounts
Boost your savings big time with the NeighborWorks Green Falls Home Purchase Assistance – Matched Savings Accounts. Save $1,000 and watch it grow to $4,000 toward your down payment. Whether your income is above or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, there are loan options to help you own.

Montana Board of Housing Plus 0% Deferred Down Payment Assistance Program
Start your journey to owning a home with the Montana Board of Housing Plus Program! You can get up to $15,000 to help with your down payment and closing costs. There’s no interest and no monthly payments, and you only need to pay it back if you sell, or refinance.

Home Purchase Assistance - HOME Deferred and Amortizing Second Mortgages
The NeighborWorks Great Falls Home Purchase Assistance Program offers $10,000 to help make your homeownership dreams a reality! You only need to repay if you sell, refinance, or move. Take the next step toward owning your home today!

Montana Board of Housing Bond Advantage Down Payment Assistance Program
Take the next step toward homeownership with the Montana Board of Housing Bond Advantage Program! Secure up to $15,000 for your down payment and closing costs, repayable over 15 years at a low, fixed interest rate. This program works statewide in Montana.
👥
Total Population
1,084,225
🗺️
Land area in square miles
145,550.2 square miles
📊
Rank of State by size
4
📍
State Capital
Helena
💰
Median household income
$70,804
💵
Median home sale price
$557,796
🏘️
Total Housing Units
472,867
👥
Total Population
1,084,225
🗺️
Land area in square miles
145,550.2 square miles
📊
Rank of State by size
4
📍
State Capital
Helena
💰
Median household income
$70,804
💵
Median home sale price
$557,796
🏘️
Total Housing Units
472,867
Census Data Snapshot for Montana
Crucial statistics and data about the state of Montana.
With just over a million residents, Montana offers a unique blend of homeowners and renters, wide-open ranches and charming small towns, outdoor adventure and peaceful living. It’s a slice of America where simplicity meets possibility.
Climate Overview
What’s the weather like in Montana?
Montana experiences a diverse climate, with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers, making it ideal for those who enjoy all four seasons.
🌧️
Spring Average Precipitation
1.51 in
🌦️
Summer Average Precipitation
1.80 in
☁️
Fall Average Precipitation
1.08 in
🌨️
Winter Average Precipitation
0.73 in
🌥️
Spring Average Temperature
42.5 ºF/ 5.8 ºC
☀️
Summer Average Temperature
64.2 ºF/ 17.9 ºC
⛅
Fall Average Temperature
43.0 ºF/ 6.1 ºC
❄️
Winter Average Temperature
21.2 ºF/ -6.0 ºC
Major Industries and Employment
What’s driving the economy of Montana?
Montana’s economy is driven by agriculture, tourism, mining, and a growing tech sector, supported by its vast natural resources and scenic landscapes.
Total Employer Establishments
🏢 40,716
As of June 2025
Employment Type

Employee of private company workers
Self-employed in own incorporated business workers
Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers
Local, state, and federal government workers
Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers and unpaid family workers
Occupation

Management, business, science and arts occupations
Sales and office occupations
Service occupations
Production, transportation, and material moving occupations
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations
As of June 2025
Home Affordability
Learn if you can afford a home in Montana.
From rustic farmhouses to modern mountain retreats, Montana offers a diverse range of housing options that reflect its wide-open landscapes and laid-back lifestyle. It might just be the perfect fit for your budget and your dreams.

Cities By Population
What are the biggest cities in Montana in terms of population?
Aside from cities like Billings and Missoula, Montana also has growing urban hubs that contribute to the state’s dynamic landscape.
City
Rank
Population as of 2025
Billings
1
123,290
Missoula
2
79,996
Great Falls
3
60,406
Bozeman
4
59,614
Butte-Silver Bow
5
36,453
Helena
6
35,944
Kalispell
7
33,194
Belgrade
8
13,721
Whitefish
9
10,035
Anaconda-Deer
Lodge County
10
9,841
School Rankings and
District Information
What are the best schools in Montana?
Montana is home to some top-performing schools and universities, including Montana State University and the University of Montana, known for their strong academic programs and beautiful campus settings.

Homes for Sale
Let’s find your dream home in Montana.
Whether you’re drawn to the charm of small towns or the quiet beauty of wide-open spaces, Montana offers a lifestyle to match. Explore the housing market and find your perfect place in Big Sky Country today.

State Fun Facts
Learn some fun trivia about Montana.
Montana is full of natural beauty and charm. Here are a few facts that make it a truly unique place.
#1
Montana is fourth largest state but one of the least populated.
#2
Glacier National Park is one of the most stunning parks in the U.S.
#3
Montana’s nickname, “Big Sky Country,” is derived from its wide and open landscapes and dramatic skies.
#4
Jeannette Rankin, from Missoula, became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916.
#5
Montana has more cows than people.
Famous People from Montana
Who are the well-known personalities from Montana?
Here are some of the most well-known personalities who come from the state of Montana.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams is an acclaimed Academy Award-nominated actress, and she was born in Kalispell, Montana.
Reed Hastings
Hastings is the co-founder of Netflix. He was born in Boston, but with Montana roots.
Colin Meloy
Music (Indie/Folk) – Born in Helena, Montana. Meloy is the lead singer of The Decemberists, an indie folk band. Born in Helena, Montana.
Dana Carvey
Comedia Dana Carvey was born in Missoula, Montana.
Agency
Website
Montana Department of Commerce – Housing Division
Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance
Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Montana Housing Coalition
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
Government Resources
Find more information about housing and real estate in Montana.
Here’s a list of valuable resources to help you research homes, schools, and other important information about the state of Montana.
Agency
Website
Montana Department of Commerce – Housing Division
Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance
Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Montana Housing Coalition
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)