North Browning
unincorporated, Glacier County · 3,144 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 4.0 years of area income·Overall D · #40 of 41 in MT
Montana rankings · Cost of living
Most affordable towns in Montana
North Browning ranks first on cost of living among Montana’s 42 towns of 2,500+; 4 of the 42 grade A− or better on cost of living nationally.
The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). How grades work
A
#2Glendive
Dawson County · 4,736 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 2.8 years of area income·Overall B− · #13 of 41 in MT
#3Glasgow
Valley County · 3,145 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 2.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #6 of 41 in MT
All 42 towns
Cost of living grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 2 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
42 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeHome price · overall
1North Browningunincorporated, Glacier County · 3,144 peopleA4.0 years of area income·Overall D · #40 of 41
9Lockwoodunincorporated, Yellowstone County · 7,181 peopleB3.0 years of area income·Overall C+ · #25 of 41
11Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDeer Lodge County · 9,709 peopleB−5.3 years of area income·Overall C · #30 of 41
15Helena Valley Southeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 9,108 peopleC+4.2 years of area income·Overall C+ · #19 of 41
T16Helena Valley West Centralunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 8,056 peopleC+4.7 years of area income·Overall B · #10 of 41
21Evergreenunincorporated, Flathead County · 9,611 peopleC4.6 years of area income·Overall C · #26 of 41
24Four Cornersunincorporated, Gallatin County · 5,791 peopleC6.9 years of area income·Overall A+ · #1 of 41
28Montana Cityunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,092 peopleC−7.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #8 of 41
30Orchard Homesunincorporated, Missoula County · 5,588 peopleC−7.4 years of area income·Overall A− · #2 of 41
31Helena Valley Northeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 4,659 peopleC−7.3 years of area income·Overall C+ · #20 of 41
32Bigforkunincorporated, Flathead County · 5,565 peopleC−10.9 years of area income·Overall B · #9 of 41
35Helena Valley Northwestunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 5,183 peopleC−5.1 years of area income·Overall C+ · #18 of 41
37Lolounincorporated, Missoula County · 4,314 peopleD7.3 years of area income·Overall C+ · #24 of 41
41Malmstrom AFBunincorporated, Cascade County · 4,302 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #22 of 41
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most affordable town in Montana?
North Browning (Glacier County) ranks first on cost of living among 42 towns, with an A; Glendive and Glasgow follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a cost of living grade (42 in Montana). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Montana page.
Go deeper
All Montana rankings →More Montana lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest small towns34 towns · #1 Four CornersSafest towns26 towns · #1 LibbyTowns with the best schools41 towns · #1 Four CornersHealthiest towns41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest towns for jobs & income42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastMost walkable towns42 towns · #1 BozemanTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk42 towns · #1 HelenaBest towns for the outdoors42 towns · #1 HelenaMost historic towns42 towns · #1 Butte-Silver BowTowns with the most civic life28 towns · #1 LivingstonTowns with the least snow38 towns · #1 DillonDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns38 towns · #1 Red LodgeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters43 towns · #1 LibbyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers43 towns · #1 Miles CityDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers43 towns · #1 Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes41 towns · #1 North BrowningDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns28 towns · #1 KalispellDescribed, no letters
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