Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $866 in Missouri versus $889 in Montana. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 3% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,279 in Missouri and $71,855 in Montana — about 23% higher in Montana. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.225%
None
+4.2 pp in Missouri
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
5.65%
+1.0 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$866
$889
+3% in Montana
Median Home Value
$185,100
$311,800
+68% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,279
$71,855
+30% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
56.3°F
48.2°F
+8.1°F in Missouri
Missouri vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Montana?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 3% below Montana's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Missouri 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 Missouri versus $36,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Missouri or Montana?
- Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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 Missouri/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.