Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $953 in Montana versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $51,707 in Ohio — about 28% higher in Montana. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5.75%
+5.8 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
2.75%
+2.9 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$953
$817
+14% in Montana
Median Home Value
$427,400
$215,300
+50% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$51,707
+28% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.9°F
52.7°F
+6.8°F in Ohio
Montana vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 14% below Montana's $953, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Montana versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Ohio?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Montana/Ohio — 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.