Known as Montana's Trailhead, Billings perfectly blends culture and history with outdoor adventure and R&R. After a day of exploration, don't forget the world-class cuisine and vibrant craft beer scene.

Pro: A robust economy with affordable living Billings distinguishes itself with a strong economy and low housing costs. As a leader in several key industries — including energy, agriculture, healthcare, and education — Billings boasts a vibrant job market with a meager unemployment rate of just 1.7%.

The city is named for Frederick H. Billings, a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad from Woodstock, Vermont. An earlier name for the area was Clark's Fork Bottom. The Crow people from the nearby Crow Indian Reservation call the city Ammalapáshkuua.

With one of the largest trade areas in the United States, Billings is the trade and distribution center for much of Montana east of the Continental Divide, Northern Wyoming, and western portions of North Dakota and South Dakota. Billings is also the largest retail destination for much of the same area.