UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
Missoula, MT is the #67 Best City to Live in the USA
| Missoula, MT Quality of Life Liv Score 610 How We Calculate Our Data |
|---|
| Civics | 46 |
| Demographics | 14 |
| Economy | 67 |
| Education | 70 |
| Health | 76 |
| Housing | 56 |
| Infrastructure | 52 |
| Amenities | 67 |
Why Missoula is one of the best cities to live in
Missoula, MT, is geographically blessed and full of untouched wilderness and friendly people. Located in western Montana, this hip city is snuggled in the Northern Rockies, surrounded by wilderness areas and at the confluence of three rivers. Missoula is home to the state’s flagship university, the University of Montana, and is a place where recent college grads stick around and launch their careers. But there’s room for everyone to grow – retirees come to enjoy the wide-open spaces, and remote workers stretch their dollars further. As one of the best places to live in the U.S., Missoula has retained a small-town feel with a population of roughly 75,000. Undoubtedly, the city offers outstanding outdoor recreation, but the arts and culture scene is something to talk about, too.
Missoula’s top employers are the University of Montana, Providence St. Patrick Hospital and the U.S. Forest Service.
University of Montana
Summers are warm, winters are snowy and cold, and Missoula gets a good deal of rain showers in the spring. Locals joke that if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.
Thirteen hot springs are within a two-hour reach of Missoula, making for a relaxing getaway. But if you’re looking to stay closer to home, grab your four-legged friends and head to Jacobs Island Bark Park, a 6-acre dog park along the Clark Fork River. Be sure to take a spin on the historic and majestic carousel and check out nearby Caras Park.
Missoula, MT is Remote-Ready
With more broadband internet becoming accessible in more remote areas of the state, Montana is set to become a hub for remote workers who want a more laid-back and subdued home life. Missoula is surrounded by lots of nature but still has plenty of spots to work from, including coworking spaces like C3 Work Lounge, Bike & Type and The Sidecar.
What Locals Love in Missoula, MT
Fact & Fiction Bookstore is an indie bookstore that carries a wide selection of titles and spotlights many Montana authors.
For a hands-on experience, pay a visit to Create Art Bar, a woman-owned DIY arts and crafts space where you can choose from 15 projects like string art or felt succulents.
Admission is free at the Missoula Art Museum, which features 20 to 25 exhibitions each year in its six main galleries and has an outdoor sculpture garden.
Happy hour starts at 4:06 on the dot at Stave & Hoop, a speakeasy with burgers and classic cocktails. (BTW, 406 is the area code in Missoula).
No ocean, no problem. You can surf on Brennan’s Wave on the Clark Fork River in downtown Missoula.
With friendly residents, outstanding options for outdoor recreation and an affordable cost of living, Missoula is a best place to live in Montana.
Thinking of Moving to Missoula?
Hiding in a valley of the Mission Range of the Rockies, Missoula real estate is a well-kept city with gorgeous views and a centrally located downtown district. Some of the best homes for sale in Missoula are located in areas like the quiet East Missoula and in neighborhoods like Prospect (great for families), the calm Glen Eagle, Creekside, and Grant Creek Hills (gorgeous views). Though we only touched on a few areas of the city, there are several Missoula real estate agents available to show you around.
Quick Facts About Missoula, MT
- Average Commute
- 13.04
- Median Home Value
- $350,017
- Med. Household Income
- $56,172
- Total Population
- 75,300
- Walk Score
- 43
- Median Property Tax
- $1,676
