Beautiful mountain town dealing with an influx of transplants
Located in the heart of the Flathead Valley, Kalispell is the county seat of Flathead County and its cultural and commercial center. The city is surrounded by natural beauty — the Salish Mountains to the west, the Flathead Range to the east, and Flathead Lake to the south. However, in recent years, out-of-state tourism in the area has been accompanied by out-of-state relocation, resulting in a rapid rise in housing costs and creating controversy among locals. “It’s changed a bit recently, but at its heart, Kalispell is still a small town with country charm,” says Flathead County native Debbie Street, a supervising broker at Wrangler Real Estate. “It’s the easiest place in 100 miles to get your shopping done, but it’s right next to the mountains and the lake, so you can get outdoors as much as you want.”
Flathead Lake and the Flathead National Forest are a short drive South and West from Kalispell.
Kalispell residents head to the Kalispell Center Mall for comfort shopping and big-box savings.
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New homes springing up around the city
The city’s housing market is made up of early-20th-century bungalows, midcentury properties and modern subdivisions. The downtown area is known for its older homes, including Craftsman bungalows and cottages, along with a variety of midcentury properties. Newer developments around the edges of the city feature modern two-story homes and townhouses and often offer access to community amenities like pools and walking trails. Condos and townhouses in Kalispell generally sell for $350,000 to $600,000, while single-family homes list for anywhere from $400,000 to over $1 million. The city has a continental climate, with warm, humid summers and long, cold winters. Property and violent crime rates in the city are both above state averages.
Kalispell dwellings include rows of eclectic Craftsman homes along friendly streets near shopping and schools.
Kalispell condo options are plentiful offering community and shared amenity spaces.
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Surrounded by some of the country's most beautiful wilderness
Kalispell is a city defined by its natural surroundings. While there are several small city-maintained parks in town, locals usually head to the mountains when they want to enjoy the outdoors. “There’s tons of public land everywhere — national forests, the national park. I don’t think there’s a town with better access to real wilderness in the continental U.S.," Street says. Kalispell is within an hour’s drive of Glacier National Park and two of the top skiing destinations in Montana: Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Hiking trails line the mountains on either side of town, in Flathead National Forest to the east and Kootenai National Forest to the west. The Flathead River, which runs east of town, is a great spot for kayaking and trout fishing in the summer, while Flathead Lake is known for its crystal-clear waters.
Kalispell ski enthusiasts head up to Whitefish Mountain Resort just about a half an hour away.
The Flathead River flows past Kalispell into Flathead Lake where fishermen and adventure await.
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Flathead High and Community College
Kalispell’s public schools are divided into two districts: Kalispell Elementary School District, which has a B grade on Niche, and Flathead High School District, which has a B-plus. Flathead Community College is located on the north side of town and is the county’s only college.
Kalispell continuing education options include the Flathead Community College.
Kalispell youth enjoy a sprawling campus at Flathead High School.
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Historic downtown Kalispell
The city is centered around its historic downtown, which is home to an array of local shops and restaurants, along with cultural spots like the Northwest Montana History Museum and the Hockaday Museum of Art. Immediately north of downtown, the Kalispell Center Mall features a variety of chain stores and restaurants. Additional shopping can be found in suburbs around the city, which serves as the main retail hub for Flathead County. The Kalispell Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning from May through October at the Flathead Community College campus. Logan Health Medical Center, located on the north side of town, is one of only two hospitals in the region, along with the significantly smaller North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. While tourism is one of the biggest industries in town, the medical center is also a major employer in the area.
Kalispell students visit the Northwest Montana History Museum on a field trip downtown.
Kalispell residents receive healthcare and employment from Logan Health Medical Center.
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Northwest Montana Fair
The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is held in August and features rodeo competitions, carnival rides and vendors.
Nearby Glacier International Airport
U.S. routes 93 and 2 connect Kalispell to the rest of the Flathead Valley. It’s about 120 miles to Missoula via the 93. Glacier Park International Airport is located less than 10 miles north of town and offers direct flights to 14 destinations in the U.S., though many of those routes are seasonal. While public transportation is limited, Eagle Transit provides bus services within the Flathead Valley, including routes to Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Photography Contributed By
Luke George
Video By
TJ Wengert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in Kalispell, MT sell after 148 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Kalispell, MT over the last 12 months is $835,000.
Built in 2024, this like-new single-level home offers modern flair and comfortable living. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, this bright home includes large windows, no carpeting, generous closet space, and an open layout. The modern kitchen showcases two-toned cabinets, vinyl plank flooring, and quality finishes throughout. Enjoy a cozy gas fireplace, central air, and the convenience of a washer
Once an original home in Somers, this beautifully relocated and fully updated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home now shines in the heart of Kalispell. Rustic character and modern comfort blend seamlessly with log walls, exposed beam ceilings, and a stunning new kitchen featuring quartz countertops, fresh cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. The cozy living room centers around a gas stove—perfect for
Plantation Pines Privacy! Nestled on 2.39 acres in the highly desirable Plantation Pines neighborhood, this beautifully crafted 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home offers views toward Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier National Park, and the Swan Range. Thoughtfully designed with comfort and elegance at the forefront, the home features vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, customized built-ins, intricate
Welcome to your private oasis on Harbin Lake. A beautifully designed custom home nestled on 12.12 acres of peaceful, natural landscape. This property blends luxury living with outdoor adventure, making it perfect for families, entertainers, or anyone seeking space, serenity and style. 9-foot ceilings and large windows flood the home with natural light and stunning views of your private lake,
Welcome to this charming home featuring 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, with a dedicated office and a double car garage on a third of an acre.Step inside to find abundant natural light streaming through large windows, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. The functional kitchen includes a pantry and dining area that flows effortlessly into the comfortable family room—ideal for gatherings and
Every detail of this remarkable property tells a story of comfort, craftsmanship, and the Montana dream. Set on 5 private acres with sweeping views of the Flathead Valley, it feels worlds away yet sits just minutes from Foy’s Lake, Lone Pine State Park, and downtown Kalispell. The main home is offered fully furnished with 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with thoughtful touches throughout, including a
With beautiful views of Montana's most breathtaking mountain ranges, Silver Star Apartments offers the best in amenities, location, and price. Take a tour of our community to see our 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartments for yourself.Enjoy a number of convenient amenities is addition to our two beautiful floor plan layouts. Electric vehicle charging stations, bark park, plentiful parking, and
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