Cost of Living in Montana 2026 — Housing, Income & Taxes

📊 Montana at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index

103

US average = 100 · Near National Average

Median Household Income

$59,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS

Average 1BR Rent

$1,100/mo

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index

State Income Tax

6.75%

Check official state rates

Average Home Price

$380,000

Source: Zillow Home Value Index

Salary Needed (30% rule)

$44,000

To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 Montana vs the National Average

Cost of Living

103

Montana runs 3% above the national average (index 103 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). Montana has seen sharp home-price increases as out-of-state buyers, drawn by the outdoor lifestyle, have bid up prices in mountain towns. On the tax side, Montana applies a simplified flat income tax rate after recent state tax reform, and no state sales tax.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in Montana?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $1,100/month in Montana, you need roughly $44,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after Montana taxes

💰 Calculate Montana Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →

Is Montana expensive to live in?

Montana's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 3% above the national average. Montana has seen sharp home-price increases as out-of-state buyers, drawn by the outdoor lifestyle, have bid up prices in mountain towns. The biggest local industries are agriculture, tourism (Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks), and mining, centered around Billings and Missoula.

What is the average rent in Montana in 2026?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Montana averages $1,100/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $59,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 22% of the typical household's pre-tax income.

What salary do you need to live in Montana?

Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $44,000/year to cover Montana's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in Montana you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after Montana taxes.

Does Montana have a state income tax?

Montana applies a simplified flat income tax rate after recent state tax reform, and no state sales tax. The listed rate is 6.75%. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after Montana taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in Montana? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in Montana 2026 — Full Guide

Montana's cost of living index sits at 103, meaning it runs 3% above the national average. Montana has seen sharp home-price increases as out-of-state buyers, drawn by the outdoor lifestyle, have bid up prices in mountain towns.

Montana's Economy

Montana's economy centers on agriculture, tourism (Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks), and mining, with most of that activity concentrated around Billings and Missoula. That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in Montana

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Montana is approximately $1,100 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $380,000. Montana has seen sharp home-price increases as out-of-state buyers, drawn by the outdoor lifestyle, have bid up prices in mountain towns.

Taxes in Montana

Montana applies a simplified flat income tax rate after recent state tax reform, and no state sales tax. The current listed rate is 6.75%. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.

Cost of Living inMontana 2026