Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,181 in Connecticut versus $953 in Montana. Overall, Montana runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Connecticut, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $53,771 in Connecticut and $71,855 in Montana — about 25% higher in Montana. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.35%
None
+6.3 pp in Connecticut
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
5.65%
+1.3 pp in Connecticut
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,181
$953
+19% in Connecticut
Median Home Value
$249,000
$427,400
+72% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$53,771
$71,855
+34% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.2°F
45.9°F
+6.3°F in Connecticut
Connecticut vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Connecticut or Montana?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $953 runs about 19% below Connecticut's $1,181, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Connecticut 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 $47,000 a year in Connecticut versus $38,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Connecticut or Montana?
- Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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 Connecticut/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.