Best Cities for Families in Montana
Montana ranks #10 of 50 for families, with a families score of 79.4. Miles City is its best city for families at 62.4.
- Montana, all states
- #10 of 50
- Population
- 8,407
Why Montana Works for Families
Montana is a top-ten state for families, ranking #10 out of 50. With strong schools, a higher-than-average violent crime rate of 419.1 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $75,340, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 94.6.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Montana shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 85.8%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 67/100. Center-based infant care runs $15,476 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Montana faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 419.1 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 94.6, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Miles City | C+ | 62.4 | 54.8 | 59 | 72 | 83 | 8,407 |
| 2Butte-Silver Bow | B | 61.6 | 55.8 | 51 | — | 81 | 35,052 |
| 3Laurel | C+ | 61.2 | 52.6 | 55 | 65 | 80 | 7,215 |
| 4Bozeman | A | 61.1 | 64.2 | 51 | 70 | 46 | 56,114 |
| 5Belgrade | B+ | 60.7 | 60.3 | 53 | 76 | 51 | 11,872 |
| 6Sidney | C+ | 59.6 | 54.6 | 59 | 60 | 81 | 6,171 |
| 7Whitefish | B | 59.5 | 58.0 | 62 | 87 | 57 | 8,749 |
| 8Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | C+ | 59.2 | 52.6 | 56 | — | 84 | 9,597 |
| 9Lewistown | D | 58.6 | 48.0 | 51 | 58 | 82 | 6,087 |
| 10Livingston | C+ | 58.0 | 52.7 | 58 | 77 | 73 | 8,780 |
| 11Helena Valley West Central | C+ | 57.9 | 54.8 | — | — | 69 | 8,056 |
| 12Missoula | B | 57.8 | 58.6 | 54 | 49 | 65 | 76,514 |
| 13Helena | B | 57.3 | 57.9 | 55 | 49 | 71 | 33,639 |
| 14Kalispell | B | 56.4 | 56.6 | 49 | 68 | 71 | 28,504 |
| 15Helena Valley Southeast | C | 55.2 | 50.4 | — | — | 73 | 9,108 |
| 16Lockwood | D | 54.9 | 48.7 | 44 | — | 78 | 7,181 |
| 17Billings | C+ | 54.8 | 52.8 | 46 | 40 | 73 | 119,434 |
| 18Evergreen | C | 54.1 | 50.3 | — | — | 74 | 9,611 |
| 19Havre | D | 52.5 | 43.8 | 47 | 37 | 84 | 9,258 |
| 20Great Falls | C | 52.2 | 50.1 | 49 | 40 | 78 | 60,329 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Montana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montana a good state for families?
Montana ranks #10 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 79.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Outdoor Access (72/100) and its weakest is Economy (52/100).
What is the best city for families in Montana?
Miles City ranks #1 in Montana for families with a score of 62.4/100, followed by Butte-Silver Bow and Laurel.
What factors are most important for families in Montana?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.