Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Montana versus $1,206 in Nevada. Overall, Montana runs roughly 26% cheaper on rent than Nevada, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $78,448 in Nevada — about 8% higher in Nevada. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.85%
+6.8 pp in Nevada
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
None
+5.7 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$1,206
+36% in Nevada
Median Home Value
$311,800
$465,000
+49% in Nevada
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$78,448
+9% in Nevada
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
68.4°F
+20.2°F in Nevada
Montana vs Nevada — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Nevada?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 26% below Nevada's $1,206, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Nevada?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Montana versus $48,000 in Nevada.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Nevada?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Montana/Nevada — 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.