Montana is known as a retirement haven due to its senior-friendly tax policies and affordable cost of living. There’s no sales tax in Montana, and senior residents can save about 5.1% on their day-to-day expenses while enjoying life surrounded by beautiful and untouched natural scenery. The state has a population of just over one million people, and 19.3% of its residents are aged 65 and older, which is almost 3% more than the U.S. average.
Montana retirees have access to 65 hospitals and benefit from health care costs that are below the national median. The state is home to Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and it’s a great place to enjoy a four-season climate. Billings, the state’s largest city, receives an average of 46 inches of snowfall per year but enjoys pleasantly warm summers, with July highs of about 88 degrees.
Independent living communities offer seniors individual homes or apartments with total autonomy but very little in the way of maintenance responsibilities. They’re ideal for seniors who don’t need help with daily living tasks but would prefer to have assistance options available if needed. The average cost of independent living in Montana is $2,738 per month.
This guide provides more information about independent living costs, financing options and assistance programs available to seniors in Montana.
When trying to decide how to pay for independent living, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of over 75,000 senior living providers to offer insight into the average cost of independent living in Montana and its 4 cities.
Note: Assisted Living costs are generally 30%-40% higher than Independent Living costs throughout the United States. However, no authoritative source specifically tracks those Independent Living costs. In the following material, we estimate Independent Living costs at 35% lower than the Assisted Living costs in Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey.
Montana’s estimated average monthly cost for Independent Living, $2,893, is just a tad below the national average of $2,925. However, that still makes Montana one of the more expensive states in its region of the U.S. on that metric. To the south, Wyoming’s average monthly costs come in at $2,709, and Idaho is a bit cheaper than that at $2,495. Just to the east of Montana, the Dakotas have the lowest prices in the area for Independent Living at $2,204 in North Dakota and $2,178 in South Dakota.
The $2,714 seniors pay for independent living in Montana is just a state average, and costs vary by location within the state. In Helena, for example, independent living services average $2,920 a month, while costs in Missoula and Billings average $2,256 and $2,727 a month, respectively. Great Falls has a saving of $1,020 a month under the state average, at $1,694 for independent living costs.
Montana
$2714
Helena
$2,920
Missoula
$2,256
Billings
$2,727
Great Falls
$1,694
Independent living costs in most of America's states are projected to rise by 2024, partly due to inflation. The national average is estimated to rise 18%, from $2,810 monthly in 2022 to $3,162 in 2024. Montana is an exception, with costs actually expected to fall by $700 a month, from $3,860 to $3,160, over the same period. Something similar is afoot in Wyoming, which anticipates an overall drop from $2,723 to $2,200. By contrast, Nevada and Alaska both project 5% increases, while California estimates a 10% increase from $3,481 to $3,823.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $3,860 | $2,714 | $3,160 |
| U.S. Average | $2,810 | $2,955 | $3,162 |
| Nevada | $2,476 | $2,463 | $2,593 |
| Wyoming | $2,723 | $2,065 | $2,200 |
| Alaska | $4,509 | $4,485 | $4,724 |
| California | $3,481 | $3,556 | $3,823 |
Independent living is a less intensive option for senior care, and at $2,714 a month it's one of the most affordable. Seniors with more need for caregiver help can find assisted living for $5,257, while memory care in Montana averages $5,822 a month.
Assisted Living
$5,257
Memory Care
$5,822
Independent Living
$2,714
Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assisted Living in Montana.
Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.
Independent living may be offered in a stand-alone retirement community or a facility that offers a complete continuum of care including skilled nursing services. In addition to residential accommodations, independent living communities may offer services such as entertainment, transportation and prepared meals. Since independent living is designed for seniors who don’t need daily help, it’s typically not covered by insurance or government programs. Seniors may sell their home to pay for independent living. A reverse mortgage is an option that lets a senior retain ownership of their home while using their equity to finance the move. Long-term care insurance may also pay for some of the services delivered in these communities.
There are many resources in Montana that assist seniors in their retirement. Caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Area Agencies on Aging | In Montana, seniors have access to 10 Area Agencies on Aging across the state, which provide a variety of supportive services. These agencies offer seniors education regarding Medicare benefits, insurance fraud, elder abuse and many other advocacy concerns. They can also point seniors toward local assistive services, including transportation to medical appointments, exercise classes, nutrition and meal delivery programs, community centers and local care options. Additionally, seniors can discover their local Ombudsman program through AAAs. |
Cash assistance programs in Montana provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Lifeline Program | 800-234-9473 | The LifeLine Program offers a discount on landline or mobile telephone service, ensuring that participants can stay in contact with loved ones. |
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Montana seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Meals on Wheels | Montana Meals on Wheels is a food assistance program open to statewide seniors ages 60 and over, along with those who are unable to shop for and prepare meals due to limited mobility. These nutritious meals fulfill seniors' dietary needs and are available on a sliding-fee scale based on income, ranging from no cost to full cost. Congregate meals are served at local senior centers, while home-delivered meals provide seniors with daily socialization and safety checks to help monitor well-being. | |
| Montana Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) | 406-926-1625 | In Missoula, MT, the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition partners with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to distribute coupons to low-income seniors aged 60 and older. Seniors are free to redeem these vouchers at over 30 farmer's markets and farm stands throughout the state for fresh fruits, vegetables and honey. Starting May 1st, seniors who meet USDA income limits can sign up for this program, which runs from June 1st to October 31st. |
| Montana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | 888-706-1535 | The Montana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a food-assistance program for Montana residents who meet the eligibility requirements, which is based on the number of residents per household compared to their respective gross and net monthly income. Qualified recipients can access benefits via their Montana Access Card, a debit card linked to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. In addition to using the card to buy food at certain stores, residents can use it at farmers' markets. |
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Montana collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana MonTECH | 406-243-5511 | MonTECH is a statewide assistive technology program that allows people to borrow a wide range of devices, such as wheelchairs, tablets, lifts, walkers and feeding devices, for a set period of time. The organization also maintains community exchange listings. |
Montana seniors who meet certain income criteria can apply to local resources to help them pay for prescription drugs. Eligible residents can also receive assistance through health insurance and other programs to access free or discounted medical services.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Big Sky Rx Program | 866-369-1233 | Administered by the State of Montana, the Big Sky Rx Program helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for prescription medication insurance premiums. |
| Montana Rx Card | As the state's prescription assistance program, the free Montana Rx Card is available to all Montana residents. It provides discounts on prescription drugs when obtained from participating pharmacies. |
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Montana have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Section 504 Home Repair Program | The Section 504 Home Repair Program provides loans and grants to low-income homeowners. Seniors may receive a grant of up to $10,000 to remove health and safety hazards from their residence. Home repair and modernization loans up to $40,000 are available to seniors who can repay them. |
Navigating the Medicaid system is often difficult and confusing. Several Montana resources help older adults by providing advice on Medicaid options, waiver programs and eligibility criteria to help seniors receive the right health care benefits.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Big Sky Waiver Program | The Montana Big Sky Waiver Program is a home- and community-based services Medicaid waiver that provides tailored support services to enable eligible seniors to remain at home or in an assisted living community. The program seeks to prevent or delay admission to a nursing home or other institutional setting. Services may include nursing care, rehabilitation therapies, environmental modifications, attendant care, help with personal care, daily activities and domestic chores, respite care and transportation. |
Social Security offices in Montana help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they're entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Social Security | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you'll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Montana resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit Program | Seniors aged 62 and older who own or rent a home in Montana may be eligible for property tax relief. Refunds of up to $1,150 may be credited to a senior's Individual Income Tax. |
Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Montana retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they're in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Energy Share | 888-779-7589 | The nonprofit Energy Share of Montana provides emergency assistance to Montana residents facing hardship and who are at risk of losing heating or lighting in their home. All cases are considered on an individual basis. |
| Montana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | 833-317-1080 | Montana's Low Income Energy Assistance Program can help seniors afford their heating bills during the cold winter months. In addition to paying a portion of energy bills, the program assists seniors in need of emergency furnace replacement. The LIHEAP is open to renters and homeowners, although some income limits apply. Seniors who are already participating in certain other federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and SSI, generally qualify automatically for Montana's LIHEAP. |
Montana retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they're eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Montana VA Benefits and Health Care | Montana VA Benefits and Health Care offers comprehensive VA benefit, compensation and pension assistance via five Vet Centers. Advisors can help seniors file claims and appeal adverse decisions. Those with a service-related injury can obtain free medical care from a network of outpatient and community-outpatient clinics in addition to Fort Harrison VA Medical Center. The state has two cemeteries for veterans: Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National Cemetery. |
3 Results
2801 Colonial Dr, Helena, MT, 59601
4.3
(12 reviews)
"Holiday Hunters Pointe was a very clean place and the appearance was great. I liked the apartment that we were looking at. It had a large octagonal living room with a wonderful view. The space was great, too. It had 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, and it was..."
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715 North Fee, Helena, MT, 59601
4.5
(2 reviews)
"I like Eagles Manor. They have people on staff 24/7 for extended help. They have a physical therapy room; they have a common area. They have housekeepers that come in. It’s very surreal. This facility is a 5-star place. Their dining room is very nice..."
READ MORE915 Saddle Dr, Helena, MT, 59601
3.8
(7 reviews)
"We toured Touchmark on Saddle Drive. They allow you to stay at their facility when you come to look at it. We were there for five days and four nights and we were not charged for our hotel. We also had all of our meals and they don't charge for those..."
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