The average Airbnb cost in Montana runs from about $168 a night in Great Falls to $277 in Bozeman, $481 in West Yellowstone, $499 in Whitefish and $797 in Big Sky, based on AirDNA’s trailing 12-month figures. Mountain resort and national-park gateway towns cost far more than the state’s cities.
Quick Answer
Plan on roughly $170 to $280 per booked night in Montana’s cities (Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman) and $480 to $800 in gateway and resort towns such as West Yellowstone, Whitefish and Big Sky. These are market averages, not quotes for a specific stay.
Key Takeaways
- AirDNA ADRs: Great Falls $168, Missoula $200, Bozeman $277, West Yellowstone $481, Whitefish $499, Big Sky $797 (pages updated September to October 2026).
- Big Sky has the highest ADR of the six, about $629 above Great Falls.
- Montana charges a combined 8% lodging facility sales and use tax.
- Airbnb shows US guests a fee-inclusive price before taxes.
- Compare the full trip total, not only the nightly rate.
Montana Airbnb Prices by Town
Montana’s short-term rental market splits into cities, college towns, national-park gateways and ski resorts. The table uses AirDNA’s market pages, which report the average nightly price paid on booked nights over the trailing 12 months.
| Montana market | Average daily rate | Occupancy | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $168 | 57% | Lower-cost city base with fewer vacation homes. |
| Missoula | $200 | 59% | College town and western Montana hub. |
| Bozeman | $277 | 61% | Fast-growing city near ski areas and Yellowstone. |
| West Yellowstone | $481 | 61% | Yellowstone’s west entrance, with demand concentrated in summer. |
| Whitefish | $499 | 54% | Resort town near Whitefish Mountain and Glacier National Park. |
| Big Sky | $797 | 54% | Luxury ski resort market with many large homes. |
Note: ADR is the average price paid on booked nights. It mixes room types and home sizes, and AirDNA tracks short-term rentals generally rather than Airbnb alone. Dates on AirDNA pages differ slightly (Great Falls was updated September 16, 2026, the others October 13 or 20). Live figures change monthly.
A listing can sit far above or below its market average, so use these as anchors. A private room or small apartment will usually cost less than the ADR, while a ski-in home or lodge-style rental will cost more.
What Makes Montana Airbnbs Cost More
- Resort and park access: Big Sky, Whitefish and West Yellowstone average well above the cities.
- Home size: large homes lift a resort market’s average, but can be cheaper per person for groups.
- Hot tubs, views and ski access: common premium features in mountain towns.
- Season: summer and winter ski periods are the busiest in resort areas, while cities are steadier.
- Remote locations: fewer listings can mean fewer choices and higher prices on peak dates.
For groups, compare cost per person. A $500 home shared by eight guests is about $63 each per night before fees and tax, which can beat several separate rooms.
Pro Tip: Look at Bozeman, Missoula or Great Falls as a base and drive in for day trips if resort prices are too high, but count the fuel and travel time.
Fees and Taxes to Budget For
Airbnb says US guests see a fee-inclusive total price before taxes on all listings, so required fees such as cleaning should already be in the displayed price. Under the split-fee structure, the guest service fee ranges from 14.1% to 16.5% of the booking subtotal.
Warning: Do not automatically add another 15% to the price Airbnb displays in the US. That can double-count fees already included. Check the itemized breakdown at checkout.
The Montana Department of Revenue says Montana charges a combined 8% lodging facility sales and use tax, made up of a 4% use tax and a 4% sales tax, applied to the total amount paid for accommodations. Units rented for 30 continuous days or more to the same purchaser are generally exempt. Local resort taxes may also apply in some areas, so rely on the tax lines at checkout.
Sample three-night cost (illustration only)
Take a Bozeman stay at the $277 market ADR for three nights:
- Three-night total before tax: $277 x 3 = $831
- Lodging tax at 8%: $831 x 0.08 = $66.48
- Estimated total: $897.48, or about $299 per night
The taxable amount, discounts and local taxes can change the result, so treat it as a rough planning figure.
How to Save on a Montana Airbnb
- Go midweek or shoulder season. Resort and park towns are usually cheaper outside peak summer and ski weeks, though the discount varies.
- Stay in a city and day-trip. Great Falls, Missoula and Bozeman average well below Big Sky or Whitefish.
- Book early for peak dates. Choice is limited in small gateway towns.
- Try longer stays. A flat cleaning fee is spread over more nights, and some hosts offer weekly discounts.
- Filter only for what you need. Hot tubs, ski access and views narrow supply and raise prices.
- Read cancellation terms. Mountain weather and road conditions can change plans.
If you prefer a hotel, compare Montana hotel prices, Montana motel prices, Big Sky hotels and West Yellowstone hotels. Nearby states are covered in our Wyoming Airbnb guide and Idaho Airbnb guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Airbnb cost per night in Montana?
AirDNA’s trailing 12-month ADRs are about $168 in Great Falls, $200 in Missoula, $277 in Bozeman, $481 in West Yellowstone, $499 in Whitefish and $797 in Big Sky. Actual prices depend on the town, season, home size and fees.
Why are Montana resort towns so much more expensive than its cities?
Resort and park-gateway markets such as Big Sky, Whitefish and West Yellowstone have strong seasonal demand and many large vacation homes, which lifts the average nightly price well above cities such as Great Falls or Missoula.
What taxes apply to a Montana Airbnb?
The Montana Department of Revenue says Montana charges a combined 8% lodging facility sales and use tax, made up of 4% sales tax and 4% use tax. Units rented for 30 continuous days or more to the same purchaser are generally exempt. Local resort taxes may also apply.
Does Airbnb show cleaning fees in the displayed price?
For US guests, Airbnb shows a fee-inclusive total price before taxes, so mandatory fees such as cleaning are included. The price breakdown still lists the individual charges and taxes.
Is an Airbnb cheaper than a hotel in Montana?
It depends on the trip. A hotel can be cheaper for one traveler on a short stay, while an Airbnb may suit families and groups that need several bedrooms and a kitchen. Compare the full after-tax total for the same dates and guests.
When is the cheapest time to book a Montana Airbnb?
Midweek nights and shoulder-season dates are usually cheaper than peak summer and ski weeks in resort and park towns. The size of the saving varies by property, so compare the same listing across a few date combinations.
Conclusion
Montana Airbnb prices run from about $168 per booked night in Great Falls to about $797 in Big Sky, with Missoula, Bozeman, West Yellowstone and Whitefish in between. Choose the town first, then compare the fee-inclusive total and the 8% lodging tax.
Flexible dates, a city base and a longer stay are the most dependable ways to bring the nightly cost down.
Sources
- AirDNA market pages for Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Whitefish and Big Sky – ADR and occupancy, trailing 12 months, pages updated September to October 2026.
- Montana Department of Revenue: lodging facility tax – combined 8% sales and use tax.
- Airbnb: pricing display in the United States – fee-inclusive total price before taxes.
- Airbnb: service fees – guest service fee range.
