Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Montana versus $1,100 in Pennsylvania. Overall, Montana runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Pennsylvania, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $60,698 in Pennsylvania — about 16% higher in Montana. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in Pennsylvania
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
3.07%
+2.6 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$1,100
+24% in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
$311,800
$193,200
+38% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$60,698
+16% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
51.8°F
+3.6°F in Pennsylvania
Montana vs Pennsylvania — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Pennsylvania?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 19% below Pennsylvania's $1,100, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Pennsylvania?
- 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 $44,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Pennsylvania?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Montana/Pennsylvania — 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.