Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,076 in Alaska versus $953 in Montana. Overall, Montana runs roughly 11% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $71,855 in Montana — about 27% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
None
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.65%
+5.7 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,076
$953
+11% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$427,400
+14% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$71,855
+27% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
45.9°F
+8.5°F in Montana
Alaska vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Montana?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $953 runs about 11% below Alaska's $1,076, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Montana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Alaska versus $38,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Montana?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Alaska/Montana — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.