Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Montana versus $1,080 in Oregon. Overall, Montana runs roughly 18% cheaper on rent than Oregon, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $71,900 in Oregon. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
None
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
9.90%
+4.3 pp in Oregon
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$1,080
+21% in Oregon
Median Home Value
$311,800
$435,400
+40% in Oregon
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$71,900
+0% in Oregon
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
53.0°F
+4.8°F in Oregon
Montana vs Oregon — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Oregon?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 18% below Oregon's $1,080, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Oregon?
- 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 $43,000 in Oregon.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Oregon?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Montana/Oregon — 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.