Living in Montana

#11 in population growth

Should you move to Montana?

Montana, aptly named the Treasure State, is where untamed wilderness meets serene tranquility. From the sweeping Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, the “Big Sky Country” offers some of the most spectacular and diverse landscapes in the U.S.

Montana’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, mining, and tourism. It’s one of the leading states for wheat and barley production, and the mining industry remains vital with coal, gold, and talc operations. Montana also thrives on its tourism sector, drawing visitors from around the globe to its national parks, historic sites, and fishing streams.

Living in Montana is an outdoor lover’s dream. It is home to two of the country’s most renowned national parks, Glacier and Yellowstone. The state offers abundant opportunities for hiking, fishing, skiing, and hunting. Not to mention, Montana is a prime location for wildlife viewing, boasting one of the largest grizzly bear populations in the lower 48 states.

On the cultural side, Montana has a rich Native American heritage, with several tribes calling the state home. From powwows to historic battlefields and heritage centers, the influence of Native American culture is evident and respectfully preserved.

Montana takes pride in its education, with the University of Montana and Montana State University offering a wide array of programs and being leaders in research.

But perhaps what truly sets Montana apart is its sense of community. Despite the state’s vast geographical size, it’s often said that Montana feels like a small town with long streets. The friendly residents, slower pace of life, and the practically non-existent traffic jams make Montana an inviting place to call home.

If a state with breathtaking landscapes, outdoor adventures, a strong sense of community, and a slower pace of life sounds appealing, Montana could be your next destination. Just remember to bring your snow boots for the heavy winters!

#43 in population

Population

1,122,867

National Avg 6,652,315

#3 in population

Population Per Square Mile

7

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does Montana Score?

D
Home Affordability
C
Cost of Living
F
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in Montana

Climate

How Does Montana Compare?

#44
in Sunny Days
#46
in Annual Rainfall
#43
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#26

How Does Montana Compare?

#26
in Healthcare
#30
in Available Beds
#49
in Doctors Per Resident

0

Children's Hospitals

1

VA Medical Centers

18

VA Clinics

Montana Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#34

How Does Montana Compare?

#34
in Cost of Living
#28
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#19
in Living Wage

Montana State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to Montana? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in Montana

#17

Montana School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #14 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

68%

Proficient or Above

29%

Ranked #15 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

72%

Proficient or Above

29%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
94.4%
Bachelors Degree
33.7%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know Montana

State Capital

Helena

Area Codes

406

Time Zone

Mountain Time Zone

Number of Counties

56

Land Area (square miles)

145,550

Motto

Oro y plata (Gold and silver)

State Bird

Western meadowlark

Housing

#36
#36 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$353,700

National $440,300

#12 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$886

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$476

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

436,481

Persons Per Household

2.41

Rent vs Own

Own 69.1%
Rent 30.9%

Economy

#39 in household income

Median Household Income

60,560

National $70,784

#27 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
62.9%
Poverty Rate
11.9%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$8,447,922

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$3,126,035

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$2,151,726

Per Capita Retail Sales

16,070

Counties

Diversity

#46
White alone
88.7%
Black or African American alone
0.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
6.5%
Asian alone
1.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.1%
Two or More Races
3%
Hispanic or Latino
4.5%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
85.3%

Foreign Born Persons

2.2%

Veterans

84430

Persons Under 5 years
5.1%
Persons Under 18 years
20.8%
Persons 65 years and over
20%

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