Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $854 in Louisiana versus $889 in Montana. Overall, Louisiana runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $49,944 in Louisiana and $71,855 in Montana — about 30% higher in Montana. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5%
None
+5.0 pp in Louisiana
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
5.65%
+2.7 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$854
$889
+4% in Montana
Median Home Value
$224,500
$311,800
+39% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$49,944
$71,855
+44% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
68.5°F
48.2°F
+20.3°F in Louisiana
Louisiana vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Louisiana or Montana?
- Louisiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $854 runs about 4% below Montana's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Louisiana 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 $34,000 a year in Louisiana versus $36,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Louisiana or Montana?
- Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% 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 3/1 cities we track in Louisiana/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.