Montana Cost of Living Calculator
Montana scores 106.0 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 114.9, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $79,500 here; its highest part is housing at 114.9.
| Index | Montana |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 106.0 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 114.9 |
| Groceries | 103.8 |
| Utilities | 80.7 |
| Transportation | 101.4 |
| Health care | 103.9 |
| Other goods and services | 106.9 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
Enter Your Details
Adjust values to see instant results
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
$4,500.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Montana's figures fill the destination side: composite 106.0 for the salary, housing 114.9 for the rent, and 5.65% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Montana ranks 15th highest of the 50 states on the composite index (106.0). Median household income: $75,340 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,562 a month.
What Montana's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Montana | Rent at the U.S. average → in Montana | Montana income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $53,000 | $1,000 → $1,149 | $1,904 (3.6%) |
| $75,000 | $79,500 | $1,500 → $1,724 | $3,401 (4.3%) |
| $100,000 | $106,000 | $2,000 → $2,298 | $4,899 (4.6%) |
| $150,000 | $159,000 | $2,500 → $2,873 | $7,893 (5.0%) |
Montana 2026 single-filer rates, after Montana Department of Revenue — 2025 Form 2 instructions, lines 1 and 2 (tax year 2025).
Montana and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Montana | $1,500 rent there = in Montana | $75,000 in Montana = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 99.4 / 98.4 | $79,980 | $1,752 | $70,330 | 5.3% top rate → 5.65% top rate |
| North Dakota | 90.5 / 77.0 | $87,845 | $2,238 | $64,033 | 2.5% top rate → 5.65% top rate |
| South Dakota | 93.5 / 86.3 | $85,027 | $1,997 | $66,156 | none on wages → 5.65% top rate |
| Wyoming | 94.4 / 88.5 | $84,216 | $1,947 | $66,792 | none on wages → 5.65% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Montana?
Montana's composite index is 106.0 for Q2 2026, the 15th highest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $79,500 buys in Montana.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Montana?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Montana's highest part is housing (114.9) and its lowest is utilities (80.7); housing, groceries, transportation, health care and other goods and services are above the national average, the other one at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Montana at 30% of income?
About $62,480 a year: Montana's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,562 a month, and $18,744 a year is 30% of that salary.