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Quality of Life in Glendive, MT
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
32% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Glendive, MT for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $13k | $25k |
| Comfortable | $34k | $51k |
| Luxury | $103k+ | $159k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $121k+ | $187k+ |
141%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
1 within 10 miles
Gas
9 within 10 miles
Hospital
1 within 20 miles
Airport
Post Office
USPS — Glendive, MT
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Glendive, Montana, presents a notably affordable quality of life shaped by its role as a regional trade and energy hub in the eastern part of the state. With a cost of living index of 68 (well below the U.S. average of 100), the city attracts a mix of workers in oil and gas, agriculture, and healthcare, alongside retirees and remote workers seeking a low-cost, low-stress environment. The population skews older and more family-oriented than the national average, with a median age around 40, and the community is characterized by a strong sense of self-reliance and neighborly connection typical of rural Montana.
Cost of living and housing affordability compared to nearby cities
Glendive’s housing market is a standout advantage for newcomers. The median home value sits at $176,900, roughly half the national median and significantly lower than Montana’s statewide median of about $350,000. Renters also benefit, with a median rent of $832 per month, making it one of the most affordable rental markets in the state. Compared to nearby cities like Miles City (median home value ~$195,000) or Dickinson, North Dakota (~$240,000), Glendive offers a clear price edge. The average commute of just 19 minutes further reduces transportation costs and frees up time for family or recreation. Utility costs are slightly above average due to harsh winters, but overall monthly expenses for a family of four are roughly 30% lower than in Billings or Bozeman.
Local amenities, schools, and what daily life feels like
Daily life in Glendive centers on outdoor recreation, local events, and a compact downtown. The city is home to Makoshika State Park, Montana’s largest state park, offering hiking, fossil hunting, and dramatic badlands views just minutes from town. The Glendive Public School District serves roughly 1,200 students and maintains above-average graduation rates (around 90%), with Dawson Community College providing affordable associate degrees and workforce training. Grocery and retail options are limited compared to larger cities, but residents regularly drive 90 minutes to Billings for major shopping or medical specialists. The local hospital, Glendive Medical Center, handles routine care and emergencies. Social life revolves around high school sports, the annual Glendive Bluegrass Festival, and church or volunteer groups. Internet access is improving, with fiber-optic service available in most neighborhoods, supporting remote work.
Glendive is best suited for people who value low housing costs, short commutes, and a quiet, safe environment over urban amenities or career diversity. It works well for families seeking a slower pace with good schools, for retirees on fixed incomes, and for workers in energy, agriculture, or healthcare who can secure local employment. Remote workers and outdoor enthusiasts will also find the affordability and access to public lands appealing, though the isolation and limited dining/entertainment options may frustrate those accustomed to city life. For anyone willing to trade convenience for financial breathing room and wide-open spaces, Glendive delivers a stable, grounded quality of life.
Crime in Glendive, MT
Generally safer than 71% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Glendive, Montana, presents a mixed safety picture that diverges sharply from the state’s generally low-crime reputation. With a violent crime rate of 507 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 908.3 per 100,000, the city’s overall crime index is notably higher than both the Montana average and the national median for similarly sized communities. These figures place Glendive in a category where residents and prospective movers should exercise informed caution, particularly regarding property-related offenses.
Crime in context
Glendive’s violent crime rate of 507 per 100,000 is roughly 45% higher than the national average and significantly exceeds Montana’s statewide rate of approximately 380 per 100,000. Property crime, at 908.3 per 100,000, is closer to the national average but still above the Montana state figure of roughly 850 per 100,000. These numbers place Glendive in a higher-risk tier compared to other eastern Montana towns like Miles City or Sidney. It is important to note that Glendive is not a large metro area; it is a rural community of roughly 5,000 people. However, the elevated rates here are not attributable to progressive prosecutorial policies—Dawson County, where Glendive sits, is a conservative jurisdiction with a traditional law-and-order approach. The higher crime numbers instead appear tied to economic factors, including a transient population linked to the Bakken oil fields and limited local law enforcement resources.
What residents experience
In daily life, Glendive residents are far more likely to encounter property crime than violent crime. Theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins are the most common offenses, often concentrated around the downtown commercial corridor and the interstate exits. Violent incidents, while less frequent, do occur—assaults and aggravated assaults make up the bulk of the violent crime category. The city’s police department maintains a visible presence, but with a small force, response times can be longer in outlying areas. Residents often rely on neighborhood watch groups and personal security measures like outdoor lighting and locked vehicles. The local justice system, operating under conservative Montana state law, does not exhibit the lenient sentencing patterns seen in some progressive urban jurisdictions, which helps keep recidivism lower than in cities with soft-on-crime policies.
Neighborhood-level variation in Glendive is modest but noticeable. The area around the Dawson County Courthouse and the newer subdivisions on the west side of town generally report fewer incidents. Older, more densely built sections near the railroad tracks and the Yellowstone River bridge see higher property crime rates. The rural outskirts and ranchland properties experience very low crime, though they are vulnerable to occasional theft of equipment or livestock. Overall, while Glendive is not a high-danger environment, its crime statistics warrant a cautious approach, particularly for those moving from safer rural areas expecting Montana’s typical low-crime baseline.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-30T01:39:28.000Z
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