7 Best Reasons to Live in Billings, MT

Billings has become the best real estate investment in Montana. This success draws many newcomers, who have come to recognize why Billings is a fantastic place to live and play. As a Billings real estate agent, it’s a privilege to show home buyers this beautiful corner of Montana. Having grown up in Montana, I’ve known this region my entire life. So, what are the best reasons to live in Billings, MT? Find out my top seven below!

Affordability

For all its growth in recent years, Billings is one of the most affordable cities in Montana. Buying a home in Billings is substantially cheaper than other major Montana cities. According to Realtor.com, median home prices in Missoula and Bozeman are respectively 162% and 235% more expensive! For less than half the price of homes in those markets, you can live at a substantial property in Billings. In most cost-of-living indices, everyday life in Billings is also rated 5% cheaper than the average US City. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more economical place to experience the Montana lifestyle!

Mountain Vistas and Adventures

Billings boasts amazing views of the Beartooth Mountains, Montana’s tallest mountain range. From many parts of town, you can even see Montana’s tallest mountain – Granite Peak. This picturesque range is also the perfect call to adventure. There are hundreds of trails to explore within the Beartooths, some of which I’ve profiled on my blog before! Only an hour away, the Beartooth Mountains make Billings an outstanding place for hikers, skiers, bikers, anglers, and mountaineers. You also cannot discount our city’s iconic Rimrocks, a series of sandstone bluffs which surround the Yellowstone Valley. These craggy cliffs add a scenic Western aura to Billings. Moreover, the Rims themselves are also full of hiking and mountain biking trails.

The History

Billings possesses some of the most remarkable historical connections of any city in the U.S. Here was the stomping grounds of Western icons like Will James, Calamity Jane, Yellowstone Kelley, and a visiting President Theodore Roosevelt. You can explore their legacy at Montana’s most renowned history museum, the Western Heritage Center. Native American history is also a major attraction. The Nez Perce Trail cuts rights through the western edge of town. And one cannot forget the Indians’ iconic victory at the Little Big Horn Battlefield, only an hour away from our downtown. Lewis and Clark even paddled through our city. At Pompey’s Pillar, 25 minutes east of town, you can see the only place with remaining physical evidence from their 8,000-mile voyage!

Amazing City Parks

Billings has outstanding city parks, boasting 47 in all! Phipps Park, located right next to our neighborhoods on the West End, offers miles of trails and an extensive disc golf course. Dover Park offers stunning views of the Yellowstone River and one of Montana’s best dog parks. Black Otter Trail and Zimmerman Park offer unbeatable views of the city, only minutes away from your office. Our countless ballparks and soccer fields also play host to a bustling youth sports scene, yet another hallmark of our tight-knit community.

Art and Culture Galore

Billings is the cultural capital of Montana. We are home to the region’s only opera and philharmonics, both situated inside the beautiful Alberta Bair Theater. To scratch your contemporary musical itch, both Alberta Bair and MetraPark host performing artists on a weekly basis. Our Yellowstone Art Museum houses the largest collection in Montana, and one of the largest in the entire country which is open to the entire public. Billings is home to a happening cinematic scene as well. Among other theatres, we proudly host the ArtHouse Cinema @ Babcock Theater, a magically refurbished Art Deco playhouse known for their eclectic screenings. For the avid photographer, beautiful murals and photogenic spots also dot the breadth of our city. There is no shortage of aesthetic exploration available in Billings!

We’re Montana’s Largest City

Billings is the largest city in Montana. In addition to our mountain idyll, you can enjoy many benefits of living in a major metro. You can dine at hundreds of restaurants, access every type of professional service, and visit Montana’s largest shopping mall. MetraPark Arena, the largest indoor stadium in a four-state region, hosts countless performers, rodeos, and trade expositions. Billings’ scaled up economy also offers great job opportunities. At 1.8%, Billings holds one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country!

Breweries

The Billings Brew Trail is a nationally-recognized highlight of our city. With nearly a dozen artisan spots in the heart of Billings alone, every weekend opens a new opportunity to explore their menus and the beautifully repurposed warehouse district where most of these businesses are. Red Lodge, less than an hour south of town, offers many of their own local brews and distilleries. Montana ranks among America’s largest wheat and barley producers. Billings breweries put those local crops to use!