Rent, home prices, and cost of living in Montana
Across the 27 Montana cities with committed home, rent, and income data, the population-weighted cost index is 118, 18% above the U.S. baseline of 100. In that sample, the median city home value is $404,200, the median city monthly rent is $1,616, and the median city household income is $70,392.
Cross-city statistics over the 27 Montana cities with committed home, rent, and income data; not a statewide household median. Home value and rent: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI Aug 2026 where matched, HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR where no ZORI match, otherwise Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Household income: Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Cost index: population-weighted across the sample from those housing inputs plus BEA 2024 regional price parities.
Major cities in Montana
Tax context: top income-tax rate 5.65%, estimated combined sales tax 0%, property-tax proxy 0.61%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
All 27 Montana cities
Every committed place in Montana, grouped by population. Each entry links straight to its cost-of-living page, and the list is rendered on the server so it is visible without JavaScript.
Cities of 100,000 or more 1 city
Cities of 25,000 to 99,999 6 cities
Cities of 10,000 to 24,999 1 city
Places under 10,000 19 cities
- Evergreen, MT
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT
- Havre, MT
- Helena Valley Southeast, MT
- Livingston, MT
- Whitefish, MT
- Miles City, MT
- Helena Valley West Central, MT
- Laurel, MT
- Lockwood, MT
- Sidney, MT
- Lewistown, MT
- Four Corners, MT
- Columbia Falls, MT
- Orchard Homes, MT
- Bigfork, MT
- Polson, MT
- Helena Valley Northwest, MT
- Hamilton, MT
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. HUD FMRs are 2-bedroom 40th-percentile gross-rent program benchmarks, not market medians. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is from the Tax Foundation 2026 edition, based on 2024 ACS.
Frequently asked questions about Montana
Montana housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in Montana?+
Among the cities we track, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County stands out as the most affordable option in Montana. The median home value there is $231,700, and monthly rent typically runs around $1,082. The local median household income is $57,527, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Montana?+
Whitefish is currently the priciest market in MT. Homes there are valued at a median of $871,592, and renters can expect to pay around $2,677/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $73,811 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Montana?+
Montana uses an approximate state-income-tax planning model; 5.65% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 0.61% and is not an individual bill. The snapshot reports no state sales tax.
How much does housing vary across Montana?+
There's a huge range. In Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, the median home costs around $231,700. In Whitefish, that number jumps to $871,592 — roughly 3x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $1,082/month vs. $2,677/month. Where you choose to settle within MT can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Montana a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Montana has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $231,700 in lower-cost tracked places to $871,592 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in MT.