Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Montana

Best Places to Live in Montana

Every Montana county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Lake County leads at 79/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Montana ranks #22 for homesteading and #7 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Montana

    How Montana treats the things that matter for living off-grid or homesteading. State law also feeds each county’s admin, autonomy, and carry factors; rules often vary by county.

    General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.

    All 56 Montana counties, ranked

    1. 1Lake County79
    2. 2Gallatin County77
    3. 3Lewis and Clark County77
    4. 4Mineral County75
    5. 5Broadwater County75
    6. 6Sanders County74
    7. 7Lincoln County74
    8. 8Meagher County73
    9. 9Cascade County72
    10. 10Glacier County72
    11. 11Pondera County71
    12. 12Judith Basin County71
    13. 13Teton County70
    14. 14Beaverhead County70
    15. 15Park County70
    16. 16Ravalli County69
    17. 17Madison County69
    18. 18Fergus County69
    19. 19Flathead County68
    20. 20Silver Bow County68
    21. 21Deer Lodge County66
    22. 22Carbon County66
    23. 23Sweet Grass County66
    24. 24Jefferson County65
    25. 25Stillwater County65
    26. 26Missoula County64
    27. 27Musselshell County64
    28. 28Big Horn County63
    29. 29Powell County62
    30. 30Treasure County59
    31. 31Wheatland County58
    32. 32Toole County56
    33. 33Granite County56
    34. 34Powder River County55
    35. 35Yellowstone County55
    36. 36Hill County55
    37. 37Golden Valley County53
    38. 38Liberty County52
    39. 39Roosevelt County52
    40. 40Richland County52
    41. 41Chouteau County49
    42. 42Rosebud County49
    43. 43Custer County49
    44. 44Carter County49
    45. 45Dawson County48
    46. 46Valley County47
    47. 47Fallon County47
    48. 48Sheridan County46
    49. 49Blaine County46
    50. 50Wibaux County46
    51. 51Daniels County44
    52. 52Phillips County44
    53. 53McCone County44
    54. 54Prairie County41
    55. 55Petroleum County40
    56. 56Garfield County38

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