Montanaincome tax up to 5.9%, 15th lowest property tax, median home $450K

R+13 · Low tax burden · COL index 104

5.9%

Income Tax

398

Violent Crime / 100K

76.5

Life Expectancy

$450K

Median Home

$1,150

Childcare / Mo

Montana in plain English

Worth knowing before you move to Montana

Montana has no sales tax and a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.9%. It taxes Social Security above income thresholds. Home prices in Bozeman, Missoula and the Flathead Valley roughly doubled between 2019 and 2023 as remote workers arrived, and the state passed a package of zoning reforms in 2023 to add housing supply. Wildfire smoke is now a regular late-summer feature.

What Montana taxes, and what it doesn't

Montana levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 5.9%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 5.9%, about $4,425 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 5.9%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Montana has the 7th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.

Property tax runs 0.58% of home value a year, roughly $2,610 on the state's median home of $450K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Montana has the 15th lowest rate of the 50 states.

There is no sales tax in Montana.

For retirees: Montana is one of the few states that taxes Social Security benefits, pension income is partly exempt, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.

Capital gains are taxed at a special rate of 4.1%.

Housing and the cost of living in Montana

Montana's cost of living index is 104, where 100 is the national average; that is the 16th most expensive of the 50 states.

The median home costs $450K, 48% above the national figure and the 10th highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,450 a month.

Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,500 a year, flood coverage adds about $450 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,480.

Budget $115 a month for electricity and gas, $510 a month in groceries for two, $1,150 a month for full-time infant care.

Safety, health and schools

Violent crime is 398 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, above the median state (387); Montana is the 22nd most violent of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 2,298 per 100,000.

Life expectancy is 76.5 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 9.2% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Montana's health system 30th of 50.

Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 22nd in the country.

Politics, guns and social policy

Politically, Montana is a solidly Republican state that went to Trump by 13 points in 2024.

On guns, no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws F.

Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. Montana is a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $10.30 an hour.

Climate, risk and getting around

Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are wildfire, blizzard, drought. Annual average air quality index is 28 (under 50 is good).

Montana has no top-25 hub airport, with about 35 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.

Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.

Largest counties in Montana

Yellowstone County Gallatin County Missoula County Flathead County Cascade County Lewis and Clark County Ravalli County Silver Bow County Lake County Lincoln County All Montana counties →

Ranked lists

State Profile

60/100

Montana will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.

One email when Montana changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.

Taxes

Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026

▾

Income Tax

5.9% top

Property Tax

~$2,610/yr on median home

0.58% / yr

Sales Tax

None

Social Security

Taxed

Pension / IRA

Partial

Estate Tax

None

Inheritance Tax

None

Capital Gains

Long-term gains taxed at reduced rate

4.1% rate

Housing & Cost of Living

Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)

▾

Price Level vs US (BEA)

Below US average (100)

94.6

Mortgages 90+ Days Late

FHFA, latest quarter

0.6%

Cost of Living Index

National avg = 100

104

Median Home Price

$450,000

Median Rent (2BR)

$1,450/mo

Home Insurance

Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)

$1,500/yr

Flood Insurance

$450/yr

Homestead Exemption

Home equity protected from creditors

$250,000

Asset Protection

Moderate

Homes in HOAs

Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)

19.0%

Zoning Restrictiveness

More restrictive than most states (Wharton WRLURI 2018)

Restrictive

Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)

Statewide public accommodation license (DPHHS) required; local rules layer on.

State-Regulated

Crime & Safety

Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024

▾

Violent Crime Rate

Near national avg

398 / 100K

Property Crime Rate

Near national avg

2,298 / 100K

Traffic Fatality Rate

Among the most dangerous

22.3 / 100K

Registered Sex Offenders

Above the state median (SafeHome 2025)

281 / 100K

Homeless Population

Moderate homelessness rate — 29% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)

177 / 100K

Healthcare

Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC

▾

State Healthcare Rank

#30 of 50

Life Expectancy

76.5 yrs

Medicaid Expansion

Expanded

Uninsured Rate

9.2%

Education

Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)

▾

College Completion Rate

College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)

46%

Avg College Cost of Attendance

College Scorecard 2024

$21,337/yr

K-12 Quality Rank

#22 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Not Available

HS Graduation Rate

Near national avg (~87%)

87.1%

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Near national avg (~16)

12.1 students/teacher

Childcare

Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022

▾

Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)

$1,150/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022

▾

Grid Carbon Intensity

Near US average (~820)

1023 lb CO₂/MWh

Avg Monthly Energy Bill

$115/mo

Electricity Rate

Below national avg (13¢)

11.2¢/kWh

Energy Mix

⚡ 53% renewable · ☀ 0% solar · 💨 15% wind

Avg Monthly Groceries

2-person household, moderate spending

$510/mo

Road Quality Rank

#16 of 50

Airports & Travel

Sources: FAA · BTS

▾

Nonstop Destinations

From state's primary airport

35+ routes

Major Hub Airport

Regional airport — connections via hub

Culture & Lifestyle

Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024

▾

Urban Population

Mix of urban and rural

56% urban

Restaurant Density

400/100K

Religious Congregations

180/100K

Pro Sports Teams

NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS

None

Major Venues

Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)

2 venues

Craft Breweries

9.6/100K residents — Top tier

105 breweries

Craft Distilleries

42 distilleries

Live Music

Highest brewery per capita in nation (9.6/100K); Big Sky Brewing; Under the Big Sky Festival

Decent

Transportation

Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026

▾

Car Insurance (Avg Annual)

$1,480

Traffic Fatality Rate

22.3 / 100K

Broadband Access

79% of households

Work From Home

State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)

55,996 workers

Social & Legal

Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026

▾

Formal Volunteering Rate

AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)

37.2%

Votes in Local Elections

AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023

64.2%

Abortion Access

State constitution protects abortion rights; blocked ban

Protected

LGBTQ+ Protections

Moderate

Marijuana

Recreational

Minimum Wage

$10.3/hr

Right to Work

Yes

Sports Betting

Legal

Casino Gambling

No casinos

Online Gambling

Illegal

State Lottery

No destination casinos but small bars/taverns with video gambling terminals are ubiquitous. Unique gambling culture.

Yes

Age of Consent

Sex Education

No state sex ed mandate

Abstinence-plus

Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs

Many remote rivers and hot springs used informally · Quinn's Hot Springs — clothing optional section

None known

Environment & Climate

Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index

▾

Air Quality (Annual AQI)

Excellent (national avg ~38)

Natural Disaster Risk

Moderate

Primary Hazards

wildfireblizzarddrought

Politics & Gun Laws

Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes

▾

2024 Presidential Vote

R+13

Gun Laws

Gun ControlF

2A LibertyA+

Carry Permit

No permit required

Purchase Permit Required

Carry in Bars

Prohibited

Carry in Restaurants

Unverified

Carry in Places of Worship

Concealed prohibited where alcohol consumed on premises (open allowed); restaurant scope unverified.

Allowed

Gambling

Legal

Hunting & Outdoors

Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)

▾

Public Land28% of state

Resident Deer License$26

Resident Elk Tag$26

Non-Resident Elk$1071

Deer Archery SeasonSep 15 – Nov 19

Elk Archery SeasonSep 1 – Nov 19

CrossbowFull season

Unlimited over-the-counter elk tags for residents. One of the few states where a resident can buy an elk tag off the shelf.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — Official Season Dates ↗

Finding nearby venues...

From r/hunting

Looking for advice on Montana hunting

I'm planning to elk or mule deer hunt self guided in Montana this coming fall. Does anyone have any recommendations for locations?...

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Hunting in Montana

a good October/November week trip look like? hunt deer, elk, black bear, These animals are going to be mostly can try for a draw tag, or you...

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Deer Hunter With .243 Considering Elk: Flathead Valley, MT

There is no minimum caliber requirement in MT. Montana law as to whether a 243 is legal for elk....

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How many trips before you get your kill? : r/Hunting

I probably went out for 18 afternoon sits (5hours till dusk) between bow and gun season before I got my deer this year. Some people are just...

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Jobs & Economy

Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS

▾

Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)

Tight labor market (US ~4.5%)

5.5%

Quits Rate (JOLTS)

Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average

2.8%

Job Market

+1.8% job growth · 2.9% unemployment

Moderate

Top Industries

GovernmentHealthcareTourism

Tech Jobs

#39 of 50

Healthcare Jobs

#18 of 50

Remote Work

20% of workers

Median Household Income

$68,420

Union Membership

Above-average union presence (BLS 2025)

11.2% of workers

Business Climate

Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings

▾

Corporate Income Tax

6.75%

LLC Formation Fee

$35 one-time

LLC Annual Fee

$15/yr

Business Climate Rank

Top-10 nationally (Tax Foundation SBTCI 2024)

#5 of 50

Daily Life

Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS

▾

Gas Price (Regular)

Below avg (-0.15 vs national avg)

$3.15/gal

Consumer Fireworks

Consumer fireworks legal; fire conditions may trigger bans

Legal

Motorcycle Helmet Law

Required under 18 (IIHS 2026)

Age-Limited

Weather & Natural Risks

Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI

▾

Winter Severity

Avg January high: 27°F

Harsh

Summer Heat

Moderate summers

85°F avg July

Annual Rainfall

15" / yr

Tornado Risk

Low

Hurricane Risk

Very Low

Wildfire Risk

High

Flood Risk

Low

Natural Hazards

Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023

▾

29LOW danger

Wildfire HIGHGrizzly bear territoryPrairie rattlesnakeBlizzard country

Venomous Snakes

Moderate

Spider Hazard

Moderate

Scorpions

Low

Hurricane Risk

Minimal

Tornado Risk

Low

Wildfire Risk

High

Earthquake Risk

Moderate

Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗

Veteran Benefits

Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation

▾

Veteran-Friendly Score

11% of state population are veterans

82/100

Property Tax Exemption

Disabled vet property tax assistance

Partial

Military Retirement Pay

Tax Exempt

Active Duty Pay

Tax Exempt

VA Facilities Access

Adequate

Notable Benefits

High veteran population, military retirement exempt

Explore Montana counties

Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county

Explore Counties

See your full cost of living in Montana

Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.

Calculate

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Trending in Montana

Former RNC chair backs Democrat in coveted Montana district - MS NOW

MS NOW · Sep 4

Governor Gianforte Tours Big Horn Academy, Highlights Education Freedom - State of Montana Newsroom (.gov)

State of Montana Newsroom (.gov) · Sep 4

Montana Avenue expansion gets $100 million; EPCC adopts budget with tax hike - El Paso Matters

El Paso Matters · Aug 28

How the city is working to keep affordable housing - montanafreepress.org

montanafreepress.org · Aug 28

NBC MT Today: Local wildfires, Missoula County budget, flood concerns - NBC Montana

NBC Montana · Sep 7

What Residents Say

Post your "Moving to Montana" (MtM) questions here.

It isn't cheap to people earning Montana wages. estates, taxes, criminal defense, real estate, corporate law, government work, non-profit etc. ......

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Poor Missoula

Cost of living is tough at the moment. This is true. We definitely need to increase the density of housing in the central part of the city....

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What changed about Montana and Wyoming?

Like, I remember even in the 2010s, it was really kind of a “this place is beautiful but not many people really move there” situation I remember houses ......

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Wait…a Montana County is Actually CUTTING Property ...

And it's not like the cost to building new infrastructure has gotten any cheaper, so basically they're going to build less infrastructure. Two ......

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Questions about living costs in Missoula

Would $3000 be enough for a yearly food budget? I can eat frugally. Can any students please confirm that FICA tax is exempt for students? ( ......

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Breakdown of generational homeowners in Montana

LTC can easily cost 100k/year. I think the average stay is 3years. So 300,000k is about enough to cover the average LTC stay without Medicaid....

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Biggest issue and biggest opportunity in Montana right now?

Working on an essay - I have my current opinions, but looking for insights outside of my local bubble and the media. What is the biggest issue in Montana ......

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They should just keep giving Billionaires tax cuts in Montana

The cost to rent, Air B and B or even a simple hotel room is outrageous. Montana now has America's highest home price-to-income ratio....

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'The Montana scheme': How the wealthy avoid taxes on ...

Cars registered in Montana but not driven on Montana roads just means more $$ for us....

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How to compare expenses in different areas : r/retirement

I looked at a reasonably priced house in Silver City, New Mexico. The property taxes were listed at $6000/year. I'm paying approximately $1200/year ......

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Montana will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.

One email when Montana changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.

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Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.