Montana may promise peace, open skies, and a slower pace—but not every town lives up to the retirement dream. Some places struggle with isolation, poor access to healthcare, or dull, car-dependent sprawl that leaves older adults feeling cut off. The Overall Retirement Score (ORS) pulls together all these metrics into one number, helping reveal where retirees might want to think twice before settling down. If you’re planning to retire in Montana, these are the spots where comfort and community may be harder to find.
15. Black Eagle – Sparse Amenities and Low Walkability
Black Eagle is a small community on the outskirts of Great Falls, known historically for its ties to Montana’s smelting industry. Despite its quiet atmosphere and proximity to a larger city, Black Eagle lacks essential features that make a town ideal for retirees. Its low walkability and limited access to cultural or recreational amenities make daily life less convenient and fulfilling for older residents.
Many retirees in Black Eagle must rely on cars for basic errands, as there’s minimal support for pedestrians or transit users. With cultural and social resources in short supply, the town can feel isolating. For retirees seeking a well-rounded lifestyle, there are better places in Montana to consider.
Black Eagle – ORS 45.37
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.37
- Quietness: 94.80
- Walkability: 13.59
- Cultural amenities: 41.50
- Vibrancy: 13.08
- Car-Friendliness: 79.79
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Black Eagle’s strengths lie in its peaceful surroundings and car accessibility, but those perks are offset by poor walkability and minimal opportunities for social or cultural engagement.
14. Sunburst – Kevin – Limited Access to Services
Located near the Canadian border, Sunburst and Kevin are tiny neighboring communities that feel more like waystations than retirement destinations. They offer very few services, limited entertainment options, and a harsh climate that can be challenging for aging residents. Health care access is also a concern, with few nearby facilities and long drives required for routine appointments.
The low vibrancy score underscores how quiet—bordering on lifeless—these towns can feel, particularly in the winter months. Retirees who want an active lifestyle or access to amenities like libraries, theaters, or community centers won’t find them here.
Sunburst – Kevin – ORS 45.25
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.25
- Quietness: 65.56
- Walkability: 14.51
- Cultural amenities: 38.25
- Vibrancy: 7.07
- Car-Friendliness: 56.62
- Transit-Friendliness: 25.62
Services are few and far between, with little more than a gas station or a post office —and even those can be a drive. There’s not much going on socially, and the winters stretch long and quiet, with little to break up the monotony.
13. Ronan – Limited Entertainment and Healthcare Options
Ronan sits in northwestern Montana and serves as a small hub for the surrounding agricultural community. While its setting near Flathead Lake is beautiful, the town’s amenities are underwhelming. Ronan has limited cultural options and a fairly low vibrancy score, indicating few events or local happenings that can enrich daily life for retirees.
Although slightly more walkable than some towns on this list, the lack of reliable transit or strong community infrastructure means most residents—especially seniors—still depend heavily on personal vehicles. Healthcare resources are limited, with the nearest major hospitals requiring a trip to nearby Polson or Kalispell.
Ronan – ORS 45.14
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.14
- Quietness: 59.49
- Walkability: 18.90
- Cultural amenities: 18.54
- Vibrancy: 13.28
- Car-Friendliness: 66.67
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Ronan’s relative remoteness and lack of senior-focused services make it more suited to younger residents or families already living in the region.
12. Poplar – Sparse Infrastructure and Low Vibrancy
Located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Poplar faces several infrastructural and economic challenges. For retirees, that translates into limited access to healthcare, grocery stores, and recreational outlets. While quiet, the town’s vibrancy and cultural amenities are among the lowest on this list.
Poplar may offer a sense of cultural heritage for members of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, but for retirees outside of that context, the lack of services and support systems can be a real barrier to a comfortable retirement.
Poplar – ORS 43.60
- Overall Retirement Score: 43.60
- Quietness: 66.21
- Walkability: 12.02
- Cultural amenities: 15.73
- Vibrancy: 5.94
- Car-Friendliness: 78.11
- Transit-Friendliness: 33.20
Despite decent car-friendliness and some transit options, Poplar remains difficult to recommend due to its very limited infrastructure and social opportunities.
11. Fort Smith – Pryor – Isolated and Lacking Essentials
Tucked into the southern edge of the Crow Reservation, Fort Smith and Pryor are known for their scenic beauty and historical significance. But scenic views alone don’t make a place retiree-friendly. These two small towns have virtually no walkability, few cultural offerings, and extremely low vibrancy scores. Services like pharmacies, clinics, and senior centers are miles away or nonexistent.
Some people might like the quiet, but without good healthcare, things to do, or ways to get around, this area is a tough place to retire.
Fort Smith – Pryor – ORS 42.13
- Overall Retirement Score: 42.13
- Quietness: 86.06
- Walkability: 8.93
- Cultural amenities: 17.99
- Vibrancy: 2.47
- Car-Friendliness: 73.21
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Life in Fort Smith – Pryor can feel like stepping off the grid—and for retirees, that’s not always a good thing. There are no sidewalks to stroll, no nearby clinics for a check-up, and not much to do once the sun goes down. Everything requires a drive, often a long one, and even then the options are slim.
10. Wolf Point – High Car Dependency, Low Amenities
Wolf Point, situated in northeastern Montana along the Missouri River, is a regional center for the Fort Peck Reservation but still falls short in several retirement-friendly metrics. Its car-friendliness is very high, but that’s because almost everything requires driving—even basic errands. Cultural life is sparse, and there are few programs or venues tailored to older adults.
Winters can be especially tough for retirees here, both due to the climate and the need to drive long distances for services.
Wolf Point – ORS 37.47
- Overall Retirement Score: 37.47
- Quietness: 75.96
- Walkability: 10.18
- Cultural amenities: 11.49
- Vibrancy: 24.17
- Car-Friendliness: 90.24
- Transit-Friendliness: 14.57
If you don’t drive or want more than just quiet surroundings, life in Wolf Point can start to feel isolating and boring pretty quickly.
9. Havre – Limited Transit, Harsh Winters
Havre is one of the larger towns in north-central Montana, and it does have some cultural life and decent walkability compared to others on this list. However, it still ranks poorly for retirees due to its low transit accessibility, frigid winters, and relatively underwhelming healthcare access.
There are some nice things to do in Havre, but the traffic, noise, and limited services can be frustrating for older adults.
Havre – ORS 36.71
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.71
- Quietness: 55.62
- Walkability: 36.63
- Cultural amenities: 41.31
- Vibrancy: 40.33
- Car-Friendliness: 77.17
- Transit-Friendliness: 8.54
Havre offers more than many rural towns but still misses key pieces of the retiree puzzle, particularly in terms of healthcare and transit.
8. Laurel – Noisy and Overlooked
A suburb of Billings, Laurel might seem like a decent choice due to its proximity to a larger city. However, retirees expecting a peaceful or easy-going lifestyle may be surprised. Noise, traffic, and a fast-growing population contribute to a lower quality of life for seniors.
It doesn’t have the friendly feel or senior services you can find in other Montana towns.
Laurel – ORS 36.03
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.03
- Quietness: 61.35
- Walkability: 57.56
- Cultural amenities: 51.11
- Vibrancy: 47.87
- Car-Friendliness: 83.34
- Transit-Friendliness: 14.37
Laurel isn’t terrible, but it’s also not great. For retirees seeking peace and access to healthcare, better options exist nearby.
7. Great Falls – Urban Struggles and Aging Infrastructure
Great Falls is one of Montana’s major cities, but being bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better for retirees. This city struggles with aging infrastructure, limited public transit, and high car dependency. Though there are cultural amenities and some walkable neighborhoods, Great Falls ranks low in quietness and overall retiree appeal.
There are some nice things to do in Great Falls, but many older adults find the traffic, noise, and limited services hard to deal with.
Great Falls – ORS 35.92
- Overall Retirement Score: 35.92
- Quietness: 49.01
- Walkability: 52.60
- Cultural amenities: 40.35
- Vibrancy: 63.87
- Car-Friendliness: 79.74
- Transit-Friendliness: 18.61
Despite its size, Great Falls doesn’t make life easy for retirees. Getting around without a car is tough, and for a city of its scale, the public transit is surprisingly limited. It’s noisy, spread out, and aging in ways that aren’t charming—think crumbling sidewalks, dated buildings, and services that feel stretched thin.
6. Pablo – Few Conveniences, Limited Walkability
Located on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Pablo is a small town with strong tribal connections but very limited infrastructure. The town lacks the kind of walkable neighborhoods, cultural programs, and transit options that help retirees stay active and engaged.
Even if you like the town’s cultural history, it’s hard to find the basic things you need to live here comfortably.
Pablo – ORS 35.06
- Overall Retirement Score: 35.06
- Quietness: 58.89
- Walkability: 14.14
- Cultural amenities: 27.35
- Vibrancy: 10.95
- Car-Friendliness: 71.68
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Pablo might be peaceful, but peace doesn’t go far when you’re driving miles for groceries, medical care, or just something to do
5. Cut Bank – Harsh Weather and Minimal Culture
Cut Bank, not far from the Canadian border, is known for its brutally cold winters and wind. While it scores relatively well for quietness, there’s little else to recommend for retirees. Walkability is low, cultural life is nearly nonexistent, and medical care options are limited.
Cut Bank’s harsh weather and remote location make it hard for seniors to live comfortably and independently.
Cut Bank – ORS 34.46
- Overall Retirement Score: 34.46
- Quietness: 83.27
- Walkability: 19.54
- Cultural amenities: 18.62
- Vibrancy: 12.27
- Car-Friendliness: 74.98
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
For those who value easy access to care, comfort, and convenience, Cut Bank doesn’t measure up. While the town might work for folks used to solitude and snow, it doesn’t offer much of what most retirees are looking for today
4. Lodge Grass – Few Services and Isolation
This small town on the Crow Reservation offers a quiet lifestyle, but little else for retirees. It lacks services, walkability, and any kind of transit system. Social isolation is a real concern here, especially for seniors with limited mobility.
Lodge Grass is peaceful, but the lack of essential services and transportation options is a major drawback for retirees.
Lodge Grass – ORS 33.56
- Overall Retirement Score: 33.56
- Quietness: 61.40
- Walkability: 11.17
- Cultural amenities: 18.57
- Vibrancy: 2.98
- Car-Friendliness: 61.65
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Lodge Grass doesn’t offer the basic services or community support that most retirees need to live well day to day. The quiet may be appealing, but without medical care, recreation, or transportation nearby, living here would be difficult for anyone not already deeply connected to the community.
3. Busby – Extremely Limited Infrastructure
Busby is one of the smallest and most isolated towns on this list. Services are minimal to nonexistent, and seniors would need to travel far for healthcare, groceries, or social activities. The walkability score is among the lowest in Montana, and public transportation is virtually absent.
Busby is so remote and has so few services that it’s one of the hardest places in Montana for seniors to live well.
Busby – ORS 29.79
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.79
- Quietness: 73.79
- Walkability: 6.65
- Cultural amenities: 9.62
- Vibrancy: 3.65
- Car-Friendliness: 66.98
- Transit-Friendliness: 2.73
Busby’s isolation and lack of infrastructure means retirees may find themselves relying heavily on others for everyday needs.
2. Box Elder – Low Scores Across the Board
Box Elder has some of the lowest scores in nearly every category. It offers little in the way of culture, activity, or convenience. Walkability is poor, transit is virtually nonexistent, and car-friendliness is limited. Seniors here face a real struggle in accessing even basic necessities.
Even though it’s cheap to live in Box Elder, there’s almost no help for older adults, so it’s not a good place to stay long-term.
Box Elder – ORS 27.02
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.02
- Quietness: 55.78
- Walkability: 5.32
- Cultural amenities: 5.31
- Vibrancy: 10.01
- Car-Friendliness: 57.75
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.15
Box Elder is among the least suitable towns in Montana for retirement, especially for those with mobility or healthcare needs.
1. Crow Agency – The Worst Town for Retirees in Montana
Crow Agency lands at the bottom of the list for good reason. Despite its quiet atmosphere and deep cultural history, it lacks nearly every amenity that makes a town livable for seniors. Walkability is almost nonexistent, and transit isn’t available. Access to healthcare, shopping, and recreation is very limited.
Crow Agency has almost none of the basics older adults need, like nearby doctors, places to shop, or community activities.
Crow Agency – ORS 25.39
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.39
- Quietness: 81.61
- Walkability: 3.84
- Cultural amenities: 7.01
- Vibrancy: 7.30
- Car-Friendliness: 71.73
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Its remoteness and lack of services make it the worst choice in Montana for retirement. The low walkability and missing transit options make it especially hard for anyone who doesn’t drive. While it’s quiet and culturally significant, retirees looking for convenience, support, or access to care will likely find it frustrating to live here.
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