Montana vs Wisconsin: taxes, cost of living, laws

Montana

Low tax burden · COL index 104

Wins 6 categories

Wisconsin

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 10 categories

Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65% vs Montana's 5.9%. Cost of living in Montana (index 104) runs 12% higher than Wisconsin (index 93). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Wisconsin averages 1.51% annually vs Montana's 0.58%. The median home in Montana costs $450K vs $285K in Wisconsin.

Montana

Wisconsin

Taxes

5.9%

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

0.58%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.51%/yr

None

Sales Tax (avg)

5.43%

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

4.1%

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

104

COL Index (100=avg)

$450K

Median Home Price

$285K

$1,450/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,200/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

398

Violent Crime / 100K

295

2,298

Property Crime / 100K

1,787

281

Sex Offenders / 100K

463

177

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#30 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#8 of 50

76.5 yrs

Life Expectancy

78.1 yrs

9.2%

Uninsured Rate

5.7%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#22 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#11 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,150/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,250/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$115/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$135/mo

$510/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$470/mo

#16 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#11 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+1.0

Category wins

Montana

Wisconsin

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