Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,024 in Delaware versus $889 in Montana. Overall, Montana runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than Delaware, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,269 in Delaware and $71,855 in Montana — about 23% higher in Montana. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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)
6.60%
5.65%
+0.9 pp in Delaware
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,024
$889
+13% in Delaware
Median Home Value
$224,500
$311,800
+39% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,269
$71,855
+30% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
48.2°F
+6.7°F in Delaware
Delaware vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or Montana?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 13% below Delaware's $1,024, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Delaware 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 $41,000 a year in Delaware versus $36,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Delaware or Montana?
- Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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 1/1 cities we track in Delaware/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.