Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $953 in Montana. Overall, Georgia runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $71,855 in Montana — about 21% higher in Montana. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
None
+4.0 pp in Georgia
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
5.65%
+0.5 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$953
+4% in Montana
Median Home Value
$182,300
$427,400
+134% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$71,855
+27% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
45.9°F
+19.3°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Montana?
- Georgia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $916 runs about 4% below Montana's $953, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia 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 $37,000 a year in Georgia versus $38,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Montana?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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 Georgia/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.