8 Undeniable Differences Between The Western And Eastern Parts Of Montana

There's no doubt about it, Eastern Montana and Western Montana have some dramatic differences. While we all unite for our love of the Treasure State and all it stands for, which part of the state you call home may depend on your job of choice, your hobbies, or your personal preferences. If you have a Montana area code, you're already doing something right ... but here are the most obvious differences when comparing western vs eastern Montana.

1. The landscape

Some prefer the dramatic mountains, lush forests, and famous waterfalls of Western Montana, while others prefer the flat, rolling farmland on the east side. Eastern Montana also has bragging rights for our beautiful badlands, which can mainly be found at Makoshika State Park and near the town of Terry.

2. The job market

There are plenty of jobs in Montana that won't make you choose a side of the state to live in. But if you want to work in the oil industry, you should head east, while park rangers and loggers will have better luck on the west side.

3. The dining scene

Rest assured, you won't go hungry anywhere in Montana, and you'll find tasty eats in every town. However, aside from Billings, most Eastern Montana cities have more casual mom-and-pop spots like Cabin Creek Cafe in Baker, while you'll find upscale wine bars like Plonk! on the West side.

4. The landmarks

Western Montana boasts famous landmarks like Our Lady Of The Rockies, which looms over Butte, while the equally impressive Steer Montana, the world's largest steer, resides in Baker.

5. The culture

Western Montanans enjoy going to football games, chatting over bonfires, being outdoors, and enjoying Montana's beer scene. Eastern Montanans like to watch sports, chat over bonfires, be outdoors, and enjoy breweries like Beaver Creek in Wibaux ... okay, so we basically all like the same things in Montana. We just do them in different places.

6. The outdoor activities

Whether it's fly fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, or swimming in the nearest lake, we all love being outdoors in Montana. Our options just look a little different based on our geographical locations.

7. Tourism

Out-of-staters and Montanans alike flock to Western Montana to see Glacier National Park, go skiing, or explore towns like Cooke City and West Yellowstone on the way to Yellowstone National Park. Eastern Montana sees its share of tourism, but it's for things like the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and local celebrations like "What the Hay" on the Montana Bale Trail in Hobson.

8. Road construction

We're just kidding. This is an inescapable hell no matter which part of the state you call home.

No matter what side of the Western vs Eastern Montana debate you come down on, if you're a Montanan, you're lucky indeed. It really is no wonder we think it's the best state to call home.