California
High tax burden · COL index 142
Wins 4 categories
Montana
Low tax burden · COL index 104
Wins 9 categories
California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Montana's 5.9%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 37% higher than Montana (index 104). The median home in California costs $790K vs $450K in Montana. Politically, Montana voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
4
California
9
Montana
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