Reviewing Great Places to Retire Since 2006!
Billings, Montana
Built in a Rimrock Canyon Carved by the Yellowstone River, Billings is a Friendly Town with a Symphony, an Opera, Craft Breweries, a Small University and More
Friendly Billings is situated beneath big blues skies and along Interstate 90 in south central Montana. It grew up around freight hauling and railroading and for years was a boisterous Wild West town, with dusty streets, noisy saloons, quick draw gunfights, gamblers, cowboys and ladies of the evening.
These days, Billings is tamer but still holds onto its authentic Western character. Built in a rimrock canyon carved by the Yellowstone River, the modern, bicycle-friendly downtown is partitioned by cliff walls. It has office buildings, government buildings, banks, restaurants and gentrified housing along wide, busy streets and hosts a farmers' market and a summer concert series. Residents also enjoy a symphony, an opera, an array of craft breweries, the Billings Studio Theater, the Yellowstone Art Museum, the Western Heritage Center and an annual strawberry festival. Established neighborhoods are leafy and neatly laid out, with a lot of ranch ramblers, raised ranch ramblers and bungalows. Newer areas meander a bit and have larger homes and more green spaces.
Billings manages an extensive park system, too, as well as outdoor pools, a par three golf course, and a trail system. Several shopping malls have a variety of small and large retailers. Montana State University (4,000 students) draws traditional and nontraditional (older) students. The 64-acre Lake Elmo is inside city limits, and the Pictograph Cave and Chief Plenty Coups State Park are within minutes. Six mountain ranges and the Little Bighorn Battlefield are within 100 miles.
Roughly 122,000 residents live within the city proper. Of this population, 41% are age 45 or older, and 32% hold a college degree. The cost of living aligns with the national average, and the median home price is approximately $435,000. Billings is Montana's largest city, and over the past decade, it has experienced a 9% population increase, with home values rising 3% in the last year alone.
With an elevation of 3,300 feet, summer temperatures are in the 70s and 80s and 90s. Winters can be quite cold, with temperatures ranging from the teens to the 30s. On average, Billings receives 52 inches of snow and 14 inches of rain annually.
Public transit is available, and the city maintains a public library. The crime rate matches the national average, contributing to a stable and livable environment.
Healthcare access is solid, with St. Vincent Regional Hospital providing medical care. Politically, the city leans to the right.
Known as “Big Sky Country,” Montana is celebrated for its wide-open landscapes, rugged mountains, and abundant outdoor recreation. With a low population density and a strong sense of independence, the state appeals to those seeking peace, space, and natural beauty.
While its economy has traditionally relied on agriculture, mining, and energy, tourism and healthcare are also growing sectors. The state leans conservative politically and its tax structure is only moderately favorable to retirees.
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