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Montana
Low tax burden · COL index 104
Wins 5 categories
VS
New Mexico
Moderate tax burden · COL index 91
Wins 5 categories
Cost of living in Montana (index 104) runs 14% higher than New Mexico (index 91). The median home in Montana costs $450K vs $330K in New Mexico. Politically, Montana voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while New Mexico went Democratic (D+10.0).
Taxes
5.9%
Income Tax (top rate)
5.9%
0.58%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.55%/yr
None
Sales Tax (avg)
7.82%
No
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
4.1%
Capital Gains Tax
As income
Housing & Cost of Living
104
COL Index (100=avg)
91
$450K
Median Home Price
$330K
$1,450/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,250/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr
Crime & Safety
398
Violent Crime / 100K
778
2,298
Property Crime / 100K
3,286
Healthcare
#30 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#49 of 50
76.5 yrs
Life Expectancy
74.1 yrs
9.2%
Uninsured Rate
9.2%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes
Education
#22 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#46 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No
Childcare
$1,150/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$950/mo
Utilities & Daily Costs
$115/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$115/mo
$510/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$460/mo
#16 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#29 of 50
Social Policy
F
Gun Laws Grade
B-
R+13.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+10.0
Category wins
5
Montana
5
New Mexico
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