Best Cities for Remote Workers in Montana
Montana ranks #4 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 76.6. Bozeman is its best city for remote workers at 63.0.
- Montana, all states
- #4 of 50
- Population
- 56,114
Why Montana Works for Remote Workers
Montana ranks #4 out of 50 for remote workers — one of the best environments in the country for location-independent professionals. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, Montana's cost-of-living index of 94.6 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.
The moderate work-from-home rate of 11.7% suggests growing but not yet dominant remote work adoption. Broadband subscriptions reach 91.5% of households, below the 50-state average — check service at a specific address, especially in rural areas. One of Montana's strongest selling points for remote workers is outdoor access — with a score of 72/100, there's no shortage of parks, trails, and public land for mid-day breaks and weekend adventures.
The tax environment is favorable at 7.87% of income, letting remote workers keep more of their earnings. Housing affordability (score: 69/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $471,746, which may require a strong remote salary to afford comfortably.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bozeman | A | 63.0 | 64.2 | 46 | 67 | 56,114 |
| 2Butte-Silver Bow | B | 62.5 | 55.8 | 81 | 49 | 35,052 |
| 3Belgrade | B+ | 60.2 | 60.3 | 51 | 54 | 11,872 |
| 4Sidney | C+ | 58.9 | 54.6 | 81 | 24 | 6,171 |
| 5Missoula | B | 58.6 | 58.6 | 65 | 56 | 76,514 |
| 6Helena | B | 58.4 | 57.9 | 71 | 55 | 33,639 |
| 7Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | C+ | 58.3 | 52.6 | 84 | 45 | 9,597 |
| 8Billings | C+ | 57.7 | 52.8 | 73 | 57 | 119,434 |
| 9Kalispell | B | 56.3 | 56.6 | 71 | 51 | 28,504 |
| 10Miles City | C+ | 56.3 | 54.8 | 83 | 29 | 8,407 |
| 11Lockwood | D | 56.3 | 48.7 | 78 | 35 | 7,181 |
| 12Helena Valley West Central | C+ | 55.7 | 54.8 | 69 | 48 | 8,056 |
| 13Laurel | C+ | 55.7 | 52.6 | 80 | 29 | 7,215 |
| 14Helena Valley Southeast | C | 53.6 | 50.4 | 73 | 34 | 9,108 |
| 15Great Falls | C | 53.3 | 50.1 | 78 | 52 | 60,329 |
| 16Whitefish | B | 51.7 | 58.0 | 57 | 34 | 8,749 |
| 17Havre | D | 51.0 | 43.8 | 84 | 13 | 9,258 |
| 18Lewistown | D | 50.9 | 48.0 | 82 | 12 | 6,087 |
| 19Evergreen | C | 50.2 | 50.3 | 74 | 36 | 9,611 |
| 20Livingston | C+ | 48.7 | 52.7 | 73 | 27 | 8,780 |
City remote workers 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.
Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings
Also See: Montana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montana a good state for remote workers?
Montana ranks #4 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 76.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Outdoor Access (72/100) and its weakest is Economy (52/100).
What is the best city for remote workers in Montana?
Bozeman ranks #1 in Montana for remote workers with a score of 63.0/100, followed by Butte-Silver Bow and Belgrade.
What factors are most important for remote workers in Montana?
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.