Montana
Among the top 10% of US states for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade A, better than 90% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 25% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B+, better than 71% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade C, better than 30% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade F, better than 6% of US states
- top 3% for sales tax
- top 4% for air quality
- bottom 1% for comfortable days
Montana is a U.S. state with about 1,092,000 residents. It grades A for affordability and F for lifestyle & connectivity. Standout strengths include sales tax, air quality, and commute time. It rates lower on airport distance and comfortable days.
Official websitemt.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Montana is $320k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Montana is $66k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Montana is $973 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Montana has a violent crime rate of 1234/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Montana is 19 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$66k22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$53kbetter than 46% of US states
Home Value$320k65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$973better than 69% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$22kbetter than 90% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.81%better than 57% of US states
Income Tax5.88%better than 40% of US states
Sales Tax0.00%better than 97% of US states
Estimated total tax burden9.58%better than 58% of US states
Unemployment4.0%better than 78% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)24°F20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)68°F4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation16.7 in10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall49.9 inbetter than 18% of US states
Sunny Days235 daysbetter than 59% of US states
Summer Humidity47°Fbetter than 92% of US states
Comfortable Days39 daysbetter than 0% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk67.1better than 82% of US states
Air Quality36 AQIbetter than 96% of US states
School Quality52.5better than 34% of US states
Violent Crime1234/100kbetter than 46% of US states
Property Crime1947/100kbetter than 40% of US states
Community
Population1,091,84014th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.582nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.218th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0392nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1773rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)84.6%92nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.5%2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)4.2%12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.8%6th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)9.9%90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 94% of US states
Walkability8.1/20better than 37% of US states
Airport Distance281 mibetter than 4% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.5%better than 29% of US states
Amenities Nearby0.79better than 8% of US states
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 25% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Montana an affordable place to live?
- Montana is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $53k, better than 46% of comparable areas. Median rent is $973.
- Is Montana safe?
- Montana is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1234/100k (better than 46%). Property crime is 1947/100k.
- What is the weather like in Montana?
- Montana averages 68°F in July and 24°F in January, with 16.7 in of annual precipitation and about 235 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Montana?
- Public-school quality in Montana is below average, scoring better than 34% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Montana?
- The average one-way commute in Montana is 19 min.