Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $889 in Montana. Overall, Iowa runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $71,855 in Montana — about 11% higher in Montana. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
None
+6.0 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
5.65%
+1.9 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$889
+2% in Montana
Median Home Value
$183,700
$311,800
+70% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$71,855
+12% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
48.2°F
+2.7°F in Iowa
Iowa vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Montana?
- Iowa is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 2% below Montana's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa 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 $35,000 a year in Iowa versus $36,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Montana?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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 Iowa/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.