Montana is a popular destination, serving as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park and home to Glacier National Park, America’s most beautiful national park, and officially one of the world’s best places to visit. However, there are also plenty of underrated towns in Montana, such as the mountain town poised to become the most popular summer destination in the continental U.S.
If you’re retiring and looking to make Montana your permanent home, towns like Bozeman, Whitefish, or Kalispell may initially seem the best places to retire, with bustling tourism and proximity to national parks. But surprisingly, none of these popular towns in the Treasure State made the list of the best places to retire in 2025. Instead, Montana’s best place to retire is officially the underrated town of Butte. Butte may be underrated, but it’s certainly not underdeveloped.
The town has everything you could want to lead a more laid-back life in retirement, including vibrant festivals, a historic downtown full of shops and restaurants, museums, great hiking trails, and it’s close to a national park without being overrun by tourism. If that isn’t enough to convince you, there are a few more reasons why Butte is one of the best places to retire.
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An Old Mining Town’s Newfound Appeal For Retirees
Aerial panorama of Butte, Montana along Park street
Although Butte’s population declined significantly, the town has made a comeback in recent years. Retirees and individuals seeking a more laid-back lifestyle are relocating to Montana and choosing Butte over other towns due to the more affordable housing options available in Butte. The median home price in Butte is approximately $270,000, which is significantly lower than inother towns in the area, such as Bozeman, where the median home price is around $750,000. More affordable housing is the main appeal for people on a fixed income. Butte is also centrally located between Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula, offering easy access to other cities.
For those who want more adventure in their retirement, Butte also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, with hiking trails such as the Continental Divide Trail and Big Butte Trail. There are also opportunities for mountain biking with the Butte-Silver Bow Trail System. Fishing for trout and other species, as well as boating, kayaking, and canoeing, are available at the lakes and rivers in the area, and in the winter, there are areas for skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
Key Retirement Parameters in Butte, Montana
In addition to the outdoor recreation opportunities in Butte, Yellowstone National Park is just a three-hour drive away, and Glacier National Park is only a four-hour drive. So, you have easy access to two of the best national parks in the U.S. and can easily make a day trip or weekend trip out of it! Butte also offers a great downtown area. Historic buildings and Victorian homes line the streets, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy. Butte also hosts the Montana Folk Festival annually, with delicious food, folk music, and art set against a stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
In other words, Butte has something for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for in retirement.
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Montana’s Other Retirement Benefits
One of fourteen headframes, nicked named “gallows frames”, dot the Butte, Montana skyline
You may still be wondering, why Montana? After all, many retirees choose to move to Florida or other warmer states, rather than to a cold place like Montana. However, including a great lifestyle, there are other benefits for retirees considering a move to Montana. Many retirees are on fixed incomes, and Montana has relatively low property taxes, with an average rate of less than 1%. Additionally, the state offers an elderly homeowner/renter income tax credit for individuals 62 and older who meet specific income requirements. Montana also has no sales tax and no estate or inheritance tax.
Montana also offers various services for people 60 and over through their State Unit on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging, including care management, nutrition services, and legal assistance. Some organizations provide programs for seniors to stay active, including the Montana Disability and Health Program. Overall, Butte offers a great opportunity for retirees with affordable housing and plenty of things to do. Although the town’s population has declined over the decades, it’s slowly making a comeback, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best places to retire in Montana and among the best in the entire U.S.
- Capital
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Helena
- Population
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1.104 Million (2021)
- Founded Date
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November 8, 1889
Butte, Montana, Boasts A Rich Mining Heritage
You may be wondering what’s so special about Butte in the first place. Located in the northern Rocky Mountains, Butte was established as a mining camp in the 1860s due to its rich deposits of silver and gold. During the Industrial Revolution, it also became a prominent center for copper mining. The discovery of these rich mineral deposits earned Butte the nickname “The Richest Hill on Earth”. It led to rapid growth and development in Butte, as well as an influx of workers, which caused the town’s population to boom.
However, as the mining industry began to decline, so did Butte’s popularity, leading to a decline in the population over time as well. Many workers had to leave to find employment elsewhere. Additionally, environmental and health concerns associated with mining made the area less attractive to new residents.
Development and suburbanization in other parts of the state drew people away from Butte to areas with more amenities and opportunities. Butte’s population has steadily declined over the decades, but the town is still considered the most historically significant mining town in North America. Due to its mining heritage, Butte is home to the World Museum of Mining, situated in an actual mine yard. It features 50 exhibit buildings and 66 exhibits in the mine yard. It is one of the most popular activities in Butte.