Commercial Real Estate News / Buying / Top 10 Places to Buy Land for Sale in Montana

Top 10 Places to Buy Land for Sale in Montana

Published: 11-03-23 Category: Buying

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Famous for its rugged natural landscapes and teeming wildlife, Montana is no stranger to commercial interest: Land sales in Montana have skyrocketed in recent years as more residents leave urban areas behind and seek the countryside.

Aside from being a scenic place to live, Montana features an economy dominated by agriculture, mining, forestry, and energy production—all of which are great industries for commercial land investors. If you're looking to buy land to generate passive income, Montana is an excellent choice.

But where, exactly, should you go about buying land in Montana? It's a big place, with over 94 million acres of quality land.

Here, we'll cover the top ten places for commercial real estate investors to buy land for sale in Montana. We chose these locations based on land availability, development opportunities, and the strength of nearby economies.

Let's get started.

#1 – Helena

Top 10 Places to Buy Land for Sale in Montana

Located in Lewis and Clark County, Helena is the capital and sixth-largest city in Montana. According to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Helena has the fastest-growing manufacturing industry in the state.

Land for sale in Helena can reach as low as $3,000 per acre—potentially lower if you buy farther away from the city.

#2 – Billings

Billings is in Yellowstone County in Southeastern Montana. It's the largest city in Montana by population. A major regional center, Billings has an economy focused on retail, transportation, and oil production.

Land for sale in Billings and, more generally, land for sale in Yellowstone, can drop to as low as $1,000 per acre. Due to Yellowstone's natural beauty, you could lease land here for recreation.

#3 – Butte

Originally a mining town, Butte now positions itself as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and IT/communications technologies. Butte has recently expanded its manufacturing base, implementing a new 360,000-square-foot facility for Dvele.

Butte is one of the most affordable cities in the state, too, so buying land for sale in Butte for residential development could be a profitable venture.

#4 – Richland

Montana is big on natural resources, especially oil. Richland County produces the most oil in Montana, at a rate of 1 million barrels of crude per month.

Land for sale in Richland can run as low as $1,500 per acre, with more expensive plots coming in at over $5,000 per acre.

#5 – Flathead County

Flathead County is located in the state's Western half and has its seat at Kalispell. Major industries in the county include healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and construction.

Flathead County is also part of the Flathead Valley and has a sizable tourism industry valued at $635 million. Land for sale in Flathead ranges between $3,000 to $5,000 per acre, on average.

#6 – Lincoln

Buying land for sale in Lincoln County is a good idea for one main reason—logging.

According to data from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Lincoln County produces over one-fifth of Montana's total logging products for a total of 80 MMBF.

#7 – Gallatin

If you want to try your hand at farmland investing, Gallatin County is your best bet.

Gallatin is a major producer of wheat, grain, hay, and cattle and generates over $112 million in annual agricultural revenue. Gallatin also has the state's highest cash rents for cropland, at over $150 per acre.

#8 – Ravalli

If you are considering buying commercial property to lease for hunting, then Ravalli County is a good place to look.

Ravalli is in the Bitterroot Valley, which many consider to be one of the best areas for hunting in the entire state. Moreover, the typical year-long hunting lease in Montana ranges between $1,000 and $3,000.

#9 – Missoula

Known for its eclectic culture, Missoula sits at the western edge of the state south of Flathead National Forest. Missoula is the second-largest city in Montana and has a balanced economy with strong activity in manufacturing, warehousing, and healthcare.

The cheapest plots of land for sale in Missoula can go for as low as $2,000 per acre, with an average of $5,000 per acre. The Missoula Economic Partnership also offers low-interest real estate loans for small businesses.

#10 – Great Falls

Located in Cascade County, Great Falls has experienced rapid growth in the past few years with an economy that focuses on trade, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Great Falls also offers several incentives for land investors, including capital loans and technical assistance.

How Much Does 1 Acre of Land Cost in Montana?

According to the USDA 2023 Land Values Summary, the average cost of an acre of farm real estate in Montana costs an average of $1,070. Overall, Montana is one of the cheapest states in the country to buy land.

Is Montana a Good State to Buy Land?

Yes, Montana can be an excellent place to buy land. Land in Montana is cheap, plentiful, and full of natural resources to tap.

The state is built on industries that need land, such as agriculture, mining, forestry, and energy, and the state's low cost of living lends itself nicely to residential development.

Montana also ranks highly as a place to buy land and start a business thanks to its streamlined regulatory structure and low costs of doing business. Land, in general, is a great investment, and Montana has some of the best land to offer.

Working With a Montana Land Broker

Buying land is unlike buying other types of commercial property, so you'll need a land expert on your investment team. Land brokers are commercial real estate brokers who specialize in buying, selling, and leasing land. A land broker can:

Pull environmental reports;
Compare land financials;
Negotiate sales contracts;
Find commercial tenants;
Manage properties; and
Explore financing options.

It's easy to make mistakes when buying land if you are not experienced, so a land broker can guide you through the process with confidence.

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