Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Montana versus $1,030 in Rhode Island. Overall, Montana runs roughly 14% cheaper on rent than Rhode Island, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $66,772 in Rhode Island — about 7% higher in Montana. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
7%
+7.0 pp in Rhode Island
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
5.99%
+0.3 pp in Rhode Island
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$1,030
+16% in Rhode Island
Median Home Value
$311,800
$322,800
+4% in Rhode Island
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$66,772
+7% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
51.6°F
+3.4°F in Rhode Island
Montana vs Rhode Island — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Rhode Island?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 14% below Rhode Island's $1,030, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Rhode Island?
- 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 $41,000 in Rhode Island.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Rhode Island?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Montana/Rhode Island — 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.