Is Havre Safe, Pros and cons of living in Havre
Havre, Montana, is a city located in the northern part of the state, often referred to as the “Crown Jewel of the Hi-Line.” It serves as a significant medical and business hub for the surrounding Hi-Line region. The city’s history is closely tied to the railroad, with James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railway playing a pivotal role in its establishment and growth as a major railway service center.
Founded to support the railway, Havre has evolved over time, incorporating various businesses typical of a frontier town. Today, it offers a blend of small-city conveniences with access to Montana’s natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city experiences four distinct seasons, characteristic of its northern plains climate.
Is it Safe to Live in Havre?
When considering a move to Havre, understanding the safety landscape is crucial. Crime rates in Havre present a complex picture, with some sources indicating higher-than-average figures compared to national and state levels. Property crime, in particular, is noted as being significantly prevalent.
Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Havre is approximately 1 in 170, while the chance of being a victim of property crime is about 1 in 30 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). More specifically, Havre has one of the higher rates of motor vehicle theft nationally (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The overall crime rate in Havre is reported to be 82.6% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing Costs and Availability
The housing market in Havre offers a range of options, with varied price points for both buying and renting. The median home value in Havre is approximately $232,554 (as reported by Zillow). Homes for sale in Havre have a median listing price around $237,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®).
For those interested in renting, the average rent in Havre is around $850 per month (as reported by Zillow). This is significantly lower than the national average, making rental properties more accessible. As of March 31, 2026, there were 51 homes for sale in Havre (as reported by Zillow).
Home Prices
The median home value in Havre has seen an increase, standing at $232,554 as of March 31, 2026, which is an 8.4% rise over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median list price for homes in Havre was $235,667 as of March 31, 2026 (as reported by Zillow).
Prospective buyers can find a variety of homes, with prices ranging widely. For instance, some homes are listed for sale for around $200,000, while others, such as a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom property, are listed at $345,000 (as reported by Zillow).
Rental Market
Renting in Havre is generally more affordable than the national average. The average rent for an apartment in Havre is approximately $787 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This figure is 52% lower than the national average rent (as reported by Apartments.com).
A studio apartment in Havre averages around $556 per month, a one-bedroom averages $787 per month, and a two-bedroom averages $900 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). The median rent in Havre is $815, which is $654 below the national average rent of $1,469 (as reported by HotPads).
Cost of Living
Havre presents a cost of living that is generally lower than both the national and state averages. The city is approximately 9% less expensive than the national average and 5% less expensive than the average city in Montana (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life.
Housing costs in Havre are notably more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Similarly, transportation costs are also more affordable than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
Budgeting for Daily Expenses
When budgeting for daily expenses, it’s helpful to note that food costs in Havre can be less affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). However, healthcare costs are more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
Montana, as a state, has no state sales tax, which can contribute to savings on everyday purchases. Additionally, Social Security benefits and most pension income are not taxed in Montana, making it financially appealing for retirees and working professionals alike (as reported by Treasure State). Property taxes are moderate and based on assessed value.
Job Market and Economy
Havre’s economy is supported by several major employers, contributing to a relatively stable job market. The unemployment rate in Havre is 2.9%, which is at or below the state average, indicating a healthy local job market (as reported by Treasure State).
The labor force participation rate in Havre is 67.6% (as reported by Treasure State). Key industries that drive employment in the area include Education & Healthcare, which accounts for 28.4% of jobs, followed by Tourism & Hospitality at 10.2%, and Retail at 9.7% (as reported by Treasure State).
Major Employers
Northern Montana Hospital is a significant employer in Havre, employing 646 individuals as of April 2017 (as reported by Missoula Current). Other major employers include Havre Public Schools with approximately 300 employees, Montana State University–Northern with about 200 employees, and Walmart, also with around 200 employees (as reported by Missoula Current).
The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) has historically been a prominent employer, though its workforce has been scaled back in recent decades (as reported by Wikipedia). The U.S. Border Patrol also maintains a presence with a sector employing under 200 individuals (as reported by Missoula Current).
Climate and Weather
Havre experiences a climate characterized by four distinct seasons, typical of its northern Montana location. Summers are generally warm, while winters are cool, with significant temperature variations throughout the year.
The average high temperature in Havre is around 57°F, with an average low of 31°F (as reported by Livability.com). The city receives about 12 inches of rain annually (as reported by Livability.com) and experiences an average annual snowfall of 36 inches (as reported by Livability.com).
Seasonal Conditions
During the summer months, July highs average around 84°F (as reported by Treasure State). Winters can be cold, with January temperatures averaging a low of 11°F and a high of 29°F (as reported by Havre, Montana – Wikipedia and Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Montana, United States)).
Annual precipitation in Havre averages around 13 inches, with June typically being the wettest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The snowy period typically lasts from October to April, with January seeing the most snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education and Schools
Havre offers a range of educational opportunities through its public school system and institutions of higher learning. The Havre Public Schools district serves the community, with various elementary schools, a middle school, and Havre High School.
Some of the top-ranked public schools in Havre include Davey Elementary School, Cottonwood School, and Lincoln-McKinley School (as reported by Best Public Schools in Havre, MT (2026)). Havre High School has received recognition, ranking as #8 of 131 for best public high school teachers in Montana and #14 of 164 for diversity (as reported by Havre High School in Havre, MT – Niche).
School Performance
While some smaller, rural schools in Havre show strong performance, larger district schools have more varied results. For example, Davey Elementary School ranks highly among Montana elementary schools, with impressive test scores, including 100% proficiency in Science (as reported by Havre Elementary School District – Montana – Niche). Havre High School, however, shows above-average English Language Arts scores but lower Math and Science proficiency (as reported by Havre Elementary School District – Montana – Niche).
The Havre school system faces challenges, as indicated by extremely high free and reduced lunch rates, suggesting significant economic difficulties for many students (as reported by Havre Elementary School District – Montana – Niche). This can impact academic performance and resource allocation across the district.
Demographics
Havre has a population of approximately 9,264 people (as of 2024) (as reported by Data USA). The population has seen a slight decrease since the 2020 census (as reported by Havre, Montana – Wikipedia). The median age in Havre is around 32.1 years (as reported by Data USA and Havre, Montana Population 2026).
The racial makeup of Havre is predominantly White, accounting for about 74.4% of the population (as reported by Data USA). American Indian and Alaska Native residents constitute about 12.3% of the population, with smaller percentages for other racial and ethnic groups (as reported by Data USA).
Population Characteristics
In Havre, 99.2% of residents are citizens, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The city has a slightly higher poverty rate than the national average, with 18.2% of the population living below the poverty line (as reported by Data USA).
Males constitute about 49.2% of Havre’s population, and females make up 50.8% (as reported by Havre, MT Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The average household size in Havre is two members (as reported by Havre, MT Demographics: Population, Income, and More).