Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $904 in Arkansas versus $889 in Montana. Overall, Montana runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Arkansas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,583 in Arkansas and $71,855 in Montana — about 16% higher in Montana. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
None
+6.5 pp in Arkansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
5.65%
+1.8 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$904
$889
+2% in Arkansas
Median Home Value
$221,200
$311,800
+41% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,583
$71,855
+19% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.7°F
48.2°F
+14.5°F in Arkansas
Arkansas vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Montana?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 2% below Arkansas's $904, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arkansas 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 $36,000 a year in Arkansas versus $36,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or Montana?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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 1/1 cities we track in Arkansas/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.