Healthcare Professionals Moving to Billings MT

Last reviewed October 5, 2026. Market figures come from Billings MLS closed sales with a Billings address, October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, unless another source is named.

What should healthcare professionals know before moving to Billings?

Billings is the medical center for much of Montana and northern Wyoming. Both of its major hospitals, Billings Clinic and Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, sit a few blocks apart in the medical corridor on the north side of downtown. For a healthcare professional moving here, the housing decision usually comes down to two things: how long your contract or position runs, and which financing you qualify for. A 13-week travel assignment and a permanent physician position call for very different plans.

Where are the hospitals in Billings?

• Billings Clinic, 2800 10th Ave N. Billings Clinic says its health system has more than 9,000 employees and 1,200 physicians and advanced practice providers across 80+ specialties, according to Billings Clinic.
• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, 1233 N 30th St. Intermountain is building a full replacement hospital on the same campus at 27th Street and 12th Avenue North: 14 floors and 243 patient beds, with construction that began in June 2025 and completion anticipated in 2029, according to Intermountain Health.

Billings Clinic also trains new clinicians locally. It runs an internal medicine residency (started in 2014 as Montana's first), a psychiatry residency, a PGY1 pharmacy residency and a nurse residency program, according to Billings Clinic. For more on each facility, see my guide to hospitals in Billings.

Should you rent or buy when you move to Billings for a healthcare job?

Match the housing to the length of the commitment:

For a rent benchmark, HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Billings, MT metro area are $1,132 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,432 for a two-bedroom, according to HUD. On the buying side, Billings homes sold for a median $385,000 over the past 12 months, in a median 25.5 days on market, and about half of sales included a seller concession toward the buyer's costs (Billings MLS). My Billings housing market report has the full breakdown.

From what I see, most people relocating to Billings for a long-term position buy rather than rent first, and that is even more true when they qualify for low or no down payment financing.

Can medical professionals buy a home in Billings with no down payment?

Some can. Several lenders offer physician or medical professional loans that allow little or no down payment and no mortgage insurance, and that can count a signed employment contract as income before your start date.

One local example is the Medical Professionals Program from Brian Hafner, a loan officer with Universal Lending Home Loans in Billings (NMLS 1620055). According to Universal Lending's 2026 program flyer:

• Up to 100% financing, with no mortgage insurance
• Designed for residents, interns and fellows, with flexible options for move-up buyers
• Future income may be used with an employment contract
• Primary residences only, with loan amounts up to $2 million
• Eligible degrees: MD, DO, DDS/DMD, PharmD, CRNA, DPM and VMD

All approvals are subject to underwriting, and terms can change, so confirm current details with the lender. Disclosure: I have a marketing services agreement with Universal Lending Home Loans. You are free to choose any lender.

What if your degree is not on the list?

Registered nurses, technologists, therapists and many other healthcare workers are not eligible for this program or for most physician loan programs. Conventional, FHA and VA loans (for eligible veterans) are the usual options, and a seller concession can help cover closing costs. My guide to buyer closing costs in Billings covers what to budget.

What do homes cost in different parts of Billings?

Median prices across these Billings MLS areas vary by more than $100,000. These are Billings MLS reporting areas, not neighborhoods, and each mixes very different streets and home types.

Source: Billings MLS, residential closed sales with a Billings address, October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Billings has no single best area for a hospital job. Shift times, how you get to work in winter, lot size and budget all change the answer, so compare a few areas against your actual schedule.

How do you time a home purchase around a start date?

• Get preapproved with your contract in hand. If you qualify for a physician or medical professional loan, the signed employment contract is often part of the approval.
• Plan the closing around your start date. Billings homes have been going under contract in a few weeks, so give yourself enough time to tour, inspect and close.
• Tour remotely if you need to. Video walkthroughs can narrow the list before a single in-person visit.
• Enroll for the homestead tax rate. Once you live in the home, enroll for Montana's reduced property tax rate; my guide to Billings property taxes explains the deadlines.

For the full relocation picture, start with my guide to moving to Billings, the Moving to Billings resource page and my post on relocating to Billings for work.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the hospitals in Billings, Montana?

Billings Clinic is at 2800 10th Ave N, and Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital is at 1233 N 30th St, a few blocks apart on the north side of downtown. Intermountain is building a replacement St. Vincent hospital at 27th Street and 12th Avenue North, with completion anticipated in 2029.

Should a travel nurse rent or buy in Billings?

For a typical 13-week assignment, renting usually makes more sense because buying and selling costs are hard to recover over a few months. HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a one-bedroom in the Billings metro area is $1,132 a month.

Can doctors buy a home in Billings with no money down?

Some can. Physician and medical professional loan programs, including Universal Lending Home Loans' Medical Professionals Program, offer up to 100% financing with no mortgage insurance for eligible degrees such as MD, DO, DDS/DMD, PharmD, CRNA, DPM and VMD, on primary residences only. Approval depends on underwriting.

Does a nurse qualify for a physician home loan?

Generally not. Most physician loan programs are limited to specific degrees. Universal Lending's program includes CRNAs but not registered nurses, who typically use conventional, FHA or VA financing.

What is the median home price in Billings?

Billings homes sold for a median $385,000 from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, according to Billings MLS data, with a median 25.5 days on market.

If you are moving to Billings for a healthcare position and want to plan the purchase around your start date, call or text me at 406-861-4844.

Gene Hauck is a Real Estate Broker and REALTOR® with The Morales Group at Engel & Völkers Billings, 1921 1st Ave N, Billings, MT 59101. He works with buyers relocating to Billings, real estate investors and Billings-area homeowners selling their homes. Call or text 406-861-4844.

This article is general information, not lending or tax advice. Loan programs and terms are set by the lender and can change at any time. Equal Housing Opportunity.