Revealing The Best and Worst Places to Live in Montana

Ranking Montana’s Best (and Worst) Places to Live

Montana is home to a variety of towns, each with its own unique charm. While some places are more well-known and desirable than others, that doesn't mean Montana’s smaller towns lack appeal. In fact, many of them are rich in history, culture, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. That is, if you're willing to take the road less traveled.

When people talk about Montana, cities like Bozeman, Missoula, and Billings often dominate the conversation. With their larger populations and growing economies, they naturally get the most attention. However, what about the lesser-known towns scattered across the state?

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Niche recently released an updated list of the best places to live in Montana. Unsurprisingly, Bozeman claimed the top spot, with Whitefish, Helena, and Missoula also making the top 10. The ranking considered nearly every city and town in the state, which got us curious. What town landed at the very bottom?

The Worst Place to Live in Montana? Here's What We Found

According to Niche, Belknap, Montana was ranked the worst place to live in the state. To clarify, this is not the Fort Belknap Reservation in central Montana. Instead, we're talking about the tiny town of Belknap, located north of Thompson Falls near the Idaho border. With fewer than 500 residents, it’s one of Montana’s smallest communities.

Interestingly, the ranking doesn’t provide much explanation for Belknap’s position at the bottom. It’s a quiet, rural community, and while it may not offer the same amenities as larger towns, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad place to live. If you know someone from Belknap, we’d love to hear their perspective on what life is really like there.

Do you agree with the ranking? Send us a message on our radio station app and let us know your thoughts.