Kalispell 72 Excellent
Kalispell Livability #61 ranked city in Montana#6,399 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Kalispell

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.

What's it like Living in Kalispell?

Located in the state of Montana, Kalispell is a medium-sized city with a population of 24,848 people. The majority of Kalispell residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Kalispell. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Kalispell can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Montana, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Kalispell, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Kalispell has received a livability score of 70/100. This score is ranked in the 75th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Kalispell ranks well for amenities (B-), cost of living (A-), education (B-) and housing (A-). Unfortunately for Kalispell, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F) and employment (D-).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Kalispell market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Kalispell is real estate affordability. The median home price for Kalispell homes is $440,461, which is 20.9% higher than the Montana average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kalispell, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 21.6% higher than the Montana average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kalispell

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Compare Kalispell, MT Livability

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      Kalispell transportation information

      Statistic Kalispell Montana National
      Average one way commute15min18min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.8%75.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.5%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%1.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%5.1%2.8%
      Working from home6.8%6.3%4.6%
      Source: The Kalispell, MT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.