Bozeman, MT, United States

Capital City

Bozeman may look like a mountain idyll, but the numbers tell a different story. With a population of 53,293, this city has grown rapidly, but its median household income of just $74,113 lags 25% behind the national average. And while the climate boasts 24 inches of annual precipitation, unusually warm and dry Decembers have become increasingly common, a harbinger of the challenges climate change will bring. Navigating Bozeman's bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, with city officials once even requesting job applicants' social media passwords. This once-sleepy college town is now a hub for high-tech companies, making it a better fit for tech workers than the average outdoor enthusiast.