Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Montana versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Montana runs roughly 24% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $67,043 in Texas — about 7% higher in Montana. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.25%
+6.3 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
None
+5.7 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$1,170
+32% in Texas
Median Home Value
$311,800
$264,900
+15% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$67,043
+7% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
48.2°F
67.2°F
+19.0°F in Texas
Montana vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Texas?
- Montana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 24% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Texas?
- 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 $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Texas?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Montana/Texas — 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.