Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Montana, it’s safe to say you’re probably pretty happy no matter what your zip code is. But using certain statistics — low divorce rates, low violent crime rates, low cost of living and great restaurant options, for example — residents of some of our cities might be the happiest of all. According to the websites Credit Donkey and Zippia (and the data they collected), these are the happiest cities in Montana.
Montanans that love to be near nature but also love the perks of city living tend to be very happy in Missoula. The low divorce rate (12%) and plentiful restaurants and entertainment options don't hurt.
Belgrade is a quaint little city, but those who call it home have the best of both worlds: small town living next to the big city of Bozeman. Belgrade is also rated well for its average commute time and low violent crime rate.
It's hard not to be happy when you live in a visually stunning city like this. Housing costs are above average here, but as a tradeoff, you get to live in Montana's Outdoor Playground and enjoy some of the tastiest restaurants in the state.
Billings in Montana's largest city, and in recent years, some great new restaurants, bars and breweries have opened. There's a lot to do in this area, and the housing tends to be affordable.
Just under 7,000 people live in Laurel, and it seems they embrace small town living. The violent crime and divorce rates here and quite low, and although the locals have a longer than average commute to work, they're rewarded with the second highest median income in the state.
Crowds flock to Miles City's annual Bucking Horse Sale every spring, but some Montanans don't give much thought to the city after that. But apparently the locals are quite content to live here -- the violent crime rate is quite low, and the housing costs are extremely reasonable, with the average resident spending just 15% of their income on rent or a mortgage.
What's not to love about this charming little railroad city? Filled with local history and surprisingly affordable housing, Havre has a divorce rate of just 10% and a 13 minute average commute time for work.
Bozeman isn't perfect, but if you love great restaurants, plenty of entertainment options and the unparalleled beauty of Gallatin County, it's a pretty great place to call home. And you might say it's the perfect place for couples since the divorce rate here is extremely low (6% of males and 9% of females).
Charming, picturesque and wonderfully historic, our state's capital city steals the heart of many a Montanan. Helena began as a gold rush town, but today it's a thriving city with a low violent crime rate, affordable housing, and a high median income.
Lewistown has been named one of the happiest places in America, and it isn't hard to see why this Central Montana city is such a great place to live. About 2/3 of the locals own their own homes, the crime rate is low, and people seem pretty content to enjoy small town living here.
Are you ready to pack up and move to one of these cities, or are you content with the Montana city you currently call home? Here’s a little more information on Lewistown, Montana’s happiest place.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
