Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $889 in Montana. Overall, Montana runs roughly 22% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $71,855 in Montana — about 12% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
5.65%
+0.4 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$889
+22% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$311,800
+32% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$71,855
+12% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
48.2°F
+4.3°F in Idaho
Idaho vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Montana?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 22% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $36,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Montana?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho/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.