Cost Of Living & Real Estate

Cost of Living: Budgeting and Expenses in Our Community

Butte is one of the more affordable cities in Montana, and housing is the main reason. A typical home in Butte costs well under the national figure and just over half of the typical value in Denver or Salt Lake City.

Montana also has no general sales tax, which lowers the cost of everyday purchases, vehicles, and large household items. Lower housing costs and no sales tax leave more room in your budget for travel, savings, and time outdoors.

Cost of Living Snapshot

Item	Detail
Cost of Living Index	91 (U.S. average = 100)
Typical Home Value	About $289,000
Sales Tax	None statewide
State Income Tax (2026)	4.7% and 5.65% brackets

Compared With Other Montana Cities

City	Cost of Living Index
Butte	91
Billings	96
Helena	100
Missoula	107

Compared With Major Mountain West Metros

City	Typical Home Value
Butte, MT	$289,416
U.S.	$368,697
Boise, ID	$508,258
Denver, CO	$524,695
Salt Lake City, UT	$572,003

Tax Environment

No general state sales tax in Montana
Two income tax brackets for 2026: 4.7% on the first $47,500 of taxable income for single filers ($95,000 for joint filers), and 5.65% above that
Top rate scheduled to drop to 5.4% in 2027

Daily Living

Average commute of about 15 minutes
Average rent in Butte runs about $1,445 per month, compared with about $1,948 nationally

Finding Your Place: Homes and Properties

Butte's housing ranges from restored Victorian homes in Uptown to mid-century brick ranches and acreage properties at the edge of the national forest. Prices sit well below most Montana markets, so you can choose between a historic home near the hospital or more land outside town.

The clinic and St. James Hospital are a few blocks apart near Uptown, and the average commute in Butte-Silver Bow is about 15 minutes.

Housing Snapshot

Item	Detail
Typical Home Value	$289,416
Median Listing Price	About $325,000
Average Rent	$1,445 per month
Homeownership Rate	About 70%
Average Commute	About 15 minutes

Compared With Other Montana Markets

City	Median Listing Price
Butte-Silver Bow	$325,000
Billings	$389,900
Helena	$418,900
Missoula	$579,950
Bozeman	$649,500

Housing Styles

Victorian and Craftsman homes in historic Uptown
Mid-century brick ranches in established neighborhoods
New condominiums in restored Uptown buildings
Acreage and mountain properties surrounded by national forest land

Neighborhoods

Uptown Butte

Historic homes within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and events
Close to the Butte Clinic - OB-GYN and St. James Hospital
New condominium options in restored buildings

Floral Park

Established neighborhood with mid-century brick ranches and older vintage homes
Larger lots with mature trees and mountain views

The Flats

Single-family homes on level streets south of Uptown
Close to Clark's Park and shopping along Harrison Avenue

Butte Country Club Area

Larger homes near the golf course
Easy access to Harrison Avenue, Continental Drive, and the interstate

Walkerville

Small town bordering Uptown on the north side of the hill

Rural Properties

Ramsay, Elk Park, and nearby areas offer acreage outside town
Some properties border the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Safety First: Our Secure Community

Most reported crime in Butte is property crime. Overall crime rates are higher than in most Montana communities, so standard precautions such as locking homes and vehicles are worthwhile.

Emergency services are local and close at hand. St. James Hospital operates the region's 24-hour emergency department and Level III trauma center, and the consolidated city-county government runs one law enforcement agency and one fire department for the whole county.

Safety Snapshot

Item	Detail
Total Crime Rate	About 29 per 1,000 residents
Property Crime Rate	About 24 per 1,000 residents
Most Common Crime Type	Property crime
Emergency Care	24-hour emergency department at St. James Hospital
Trauma Level	Level III trauma center

Emergency Services

Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Agency, serving the entire city and county
Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department, providing fire response and medical aid calls
St. James Hospital emergency department, open 24 hours