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 81/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Montana ranks #17 for homesteading and #4 for off-grid living.

Home
Montana
0 counties

Loading Montana…

Tap a county to see its score

LowHigh

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 County81
    2. 2Lincoln County77
    3. 3Sanders County77
    4. 4Lewis and Clark County76
    5. 5Gallatin County76
    6. 6Broadwater County74
    7. 7Meagher County74
    8. 8Mineral County74
    9. 9Cascade County73
    10. 10Glacier County72
    11. 11Madison County71
    12. 12Pondera County70
    13. 13Beaverhead County70
    14. 14Judith Basin County69
    15. 15Park County69
    16. 16Fergus County69
    17. 17Ravalli County68
    18. 18Teton County68
    19. 19Flathead County67
    20. 20Deer Lodge County66
    21. 21Missoula County66
    22. 22Stillwater County66
    23. 23Carbon County66
    24. 24Silver Bow County66
    25. 25Sweet Grass County65
    26. 26Musselshell County64
    27. 27Jefferson County64
    28. 28Big Horn County63
    29. 29Powell County63
    30. 30Wheatland County59
    31. 31Treasure County58
    32. 32Granite County56
    33. 33Yellowstone County56
    34. 34Toole County55
    35. 35Powder River County55
    36. 36Hill County54
    37. 37Golden Valley County54
    38. 38Liberty County52
    39. 39Richland County51
    40. 40Roosevelt County51
    41. 41Chouteau County49
    42. 42Dawson County49
    43. 43Rosebud County49
    44. 44Carter County49
    45. 45Custer County48
    46. 46Valley County46
    47. 47Blaine County46
    48. 48Sheridan County45
    49. 49Fallon County45
    50. 50Wibaux County44
    51. 51Daniels County44
    52. 52Phillips County43
    53. 53McCone County43
    54. 54Prairie County40
    55. 55Petroleum County39
    56. 56Garfield County37

    ← All states