Montana
R+13 · Low tax burden · COL index 104
5.9%
Income Tax
398
Violent Crime / 100K
76.5
Life Expectancy
$450K
Median Home
$1,150
Childcare / Mo
State Profile
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Taxes
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$2,610/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Long-term gains taxed at reduced rate
Housing & Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Crime & Safety
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Among the most dangerous
Healthcare
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
Childcare
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
9.6/100K residents — Top tier
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Highest brewery per capita in nation (9.6/100K); Big Sky Brewing; Under the Big Sky Festival
Transportation
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Social & Legal
Abortion Access
State constitution protects abortion rights; blocked ban
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
No destination casinos but small bars/taverns with video gambling terminals are ubiquitous. Unique gambling culture.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
No state sex ed mandate
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Many remote rivers and hot springs used informally · Quinn's Hot Springs — clothing optional section
Environment & Climate
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Excellent (national avg ~38)
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Job Market
+1.8% job growth · 2.9% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Daily Life
Gas Price (Regular)
Below avg (-0.15 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks legal; fire conditions may trigger bans
Weather & Natural Risks
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 27°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Veteran Benefits
Veteran-Friendly Score
11% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax assistance
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Montana counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Montana
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
MT vs FL
Montana vs Florida
COL 104 vs 103 · 5.9% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
MT vs AZ
Montana vs Arizona
COL 104 vs 102 · 5.9% vs 2.5% income tax
Full comparison →
MT vs NV
Montana vs Nevada
COL 104 vs 101 · 5.9% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
MT vs UT
Montana vs Utah
COL 104 vs 101 · 5.9% vs 4.65% income tax
Full comparison →
Stay Current
Get notified when Montana tax laws, gun laws, or social policy changes.
Montana Guides
lifestyle
Montana Has More Breweries Per Person Than Anywhere Else
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taxes
Montana vs. Idaho: The Mountain West Tax Battle
Montana has no sales tax and Idaho has a lower top income rate of 5.8% versus Montana's 5.9%. But th…
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI UCR ~2022. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund / US News ~2023. Education: Education Week ~2023. Housing: Zillow / Census ACS ~2024. Insurance: rate surveys ~2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.