The 10 Most Expensive Mountain Towns in Montana

Breathtakingly beautiful views make Montana mountain towns the most coveted migration spots. Montana offers high mountain peaks, snowy ski paths, clear water in sparkling streams and lakes, and an escape from the hustle and bustle of crowded cities and concrete everywhere. This was true before the pandemic hit; however, with the pandemic causing people to want to distance themselves from others, the lure of the mountains increased.

Add to that urge to surround yourself with acres between you and your nearest neighbor, the “Yellowstone” fantasy of the Dutton clan, and you have mountain towns with prices skyrocketing. In the last five years, the migration of people from the city hunting their little spot of heaven in Montana has turned these getaway locations into the most expensive mountain towns in Montana.

10. Garrison: Median Home Value: $719,000

Garrison is located in Powell County and has a population of 52. It is a Census-designated place, and the cost of living there is on average with the rest of Montana. It costs an adult about $36,045 per year to cover the cost of food, housing, transportation, medical care, and taxes. Surprisingly, in Garrison, the annual income of the average person is only $41,042.

A single adult will pay about $12,500 a year in transportation costs, while a family of four will pay closer to $16,000. Annual childcare costs for one child aged three to four years will cost about $6,200. A family of four will spend about $9,732 a year on food and $17,000 on healthcare.

9. Big Fork: Median Home Value: $752,328

If you are planning a move to Big Fork, Montana, be aware that the cost of living index in the Montana mountain town is rated at 115.7 This rating tells you that the cost of average living necessities like food, housing, child care, and transportation is 15.7% higher than the national average. A single adult needs an income of $48,000 annually to live comfortably here, and a family of four will need to bring home $142,220 a year.

Flathead Lake is one of the attractions near Big Fork. Residents also enjoy serene beauty, fresh air, and a quality way of life.

8. Manhattan: Median Home Value: $761,000

The cost of living in Manhattan, Montana, is 25.7% higher than the national average. Homes are 65.5% more expensive than the national average. A single adult will need an income of $50,000 annually to afford food, housing, transportation, health care, and the necessities. Families of four will need to make $107,280.

The cost of living scale is rated at 100, and everything above 100 is a percentage point higher than the national average. Grocery costs in Manhattan, Montana, received a 105 rating, meaning they are 5% higher than average. Healthcare received a 102.5 and housing scored 185.1 However, utilities and transportation were below the national average cost.

7. Lakeside: Median Home Value: $765,000

To live comfortably in Montana mountain towns, the average adult has to make a higher income. In Lakeside, a single adult will need to make $53,200, and a family of four will need to make $148,320. This income is enough for the necessities and does not include luxuries. However, a good thing about Lakeside is the utility costs, which are 21% less than the national average. The overall cost of living here is 15.7% higher than average.

6. Whitefish: Median Home Value: $817,128

Whitefish Montana is a Montana resort town. Like other Montana mountain towns, a single adult will need a higher income to afford to live there. In Whitefish, a single adult needs to earn $54,800 a year, and a family of four will need a minimum of $160,560 annually. Utility costs are lower than the national average; however, they are higher than in tons like Lakeside and Whitefish. Groceries cost 5.4% more than in other places, and housing is double the average cost.

5. Gallatin: Median Home Value: $937,000

Perched in the iconic Rocky Mountains, Gallatin Gateway is a beautiful place to live. Gallatin Gateway has a higher cost of living than some other Montana mountain towns. They score 125.7 on their overall cost of living, which means they are 25.7% more expensive than the national average. A single adult needs to earn an annual income of $65,600, and a family of four needs about $181,440.

Groceries cost 7.7% more than average in Gallatin. However, housing has a score of 342.3, and the national average is 100. Like other Montan mountain towns, the utility and transportation costs are 20% lower than average.

4. Big Arm: Median Home Value: $1,039,500

As far as Montane mountain towns go, Big Arm is one of the most scenically beautiful. It is also one of the more expensive places to live. A single adult needs an annual income of $75,590, and a family of four requires $247,456 a year. Food, housing, and child care are more expensive; however, property and income taxes are surprisingly low, and by low, we mean closer to the national average.

3. Pray: Median Home Value: $1,395,000

Welcome to Pray, Montana, where the view will take your breath away, and you are only a short distance from Yellowstone National Park. Pray is one of Montana’s mountain towns that allows you to live like a Dutton if you can afford to do so. In Pray, the cost of living is higher than the national average. A single adult will require a yearly income of $83,000 a year. A family of four will need about $260,000 a year. Living the dream life does not come cheap.

2. Big Sky: Median Home Value: $1,797,500

Out of all of the Montana mountain towns, Big Sky is one of the most alluring. Beautiful mountain scenery, crisp mountain air, and clear mountain water await you. However, along with all of those amenities, higher housing costs and higher costs of all necessities also await you. A single person in Big Sky needs an annual income of about $90,000. A family of four needs an income of close to $400,00 to make ends meet.

1. Cameron: Median Home Value: $1,835,000

We have made it our number one ranking of expensive Montana mountain towns. Cameron, Montana, is perfectly situated on Sphinx Mountain. In most of the Montana mountain towns, we have looked at utility costs, and transportation costs were below average. In Cameron, the transportation cost is 25% below average. However, the utility costs are closer to the average.

A single adult will need to make $100,000 a year to live comfortably. A family of four will need more than $500,000 a year. You pay a price for the peace, security, and solitude of a place like Cameron. But a few days here, and you will know that it is worth every penny.

Summary Of The 10 Most Expensive Mountain Towns in Montana