Cost of Living in Montana (MT)
Compare costs across 4 Montana cities. From home services to salaries, see how MT stacks up against the national average.
4
Cities
98
Avg Cost Index
$51K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Montana's average cost index is 98, which is near the national baseline of 100. Great Falls is the most affordable tracked city in MT at index 88, while Missoula is the most expensive at index 108.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 20 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Montana Highlights: Most affordable city: Great Falls (index 88). Most expensive: Missoula (index 108). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 20 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
98/100
Montana is near the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Great Falls
Great Falls has a cost index of 88.
Most expensive
Missoula
Missoula has a cost index of 108.
Income average
$51K
Average median household income across 4 tracked MT cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Montana
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 120K | 96 | $55K | small |
| Missoula | 74K | 108 | $48K | small |
| Great Falls | 60K | 88 | $48K | small |
| Helena | 32K | 98 | $54K | small |
Montana State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Montana.
State Income Tax
1-5.9%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
0%
0% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.74%
~$2,220/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Montana uses a progressive income tax at 1-5.9%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Great Falls if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Montana.
- Compare Missoula against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.