Taxes & Cost of Living
Taxes & Cost of Living
No state sales tax, low property taxes — see what it really costs to live in Montana and how it compares.
Taxes & Cost
Tax Environment
A tax structure that attracts relocators and retirees
No estate or inheritance tax is levied at the state level (federal only). Property tax rates vary by county — explore county-specific pages for local rates and mill levies.
Compare county property taxes →Taxes & Cost
Cost of Living Comparison
How Montana cities stack up against the major metros people are relocating from. Montana median home prices are live from market data; comparison cities use public cost-of-living indices (100 = U.S. average).
Montana
Bozeman
Median home value
Income tax: 5.9%
Cost index: ~106
Compare from
Seattle
Median home value
Property tax: 1.03%
Cost index: 156
Montana
Missoula
Median home value
Income tax: 5.9%
Cost index: ~106
Compare from
Portland
Median home value
Property tax: 1.06%
Cost index: 144
Montana
Billings
Median home value
Income tax: 5.9%
Cost index: ~106
Compare from
Minneapolis
Median home value
Property tax: 1.10%
Cost index: 108
Montana
Kalispell
Median home value
Income tax: 5.9%
Cost index: ~106
Compare from
Boise
Median home value
Property tax: 0.93%
Cost index: 121
People & Migration
Demographics & Migration Trends
Montana's population has grown every year since 2018, driven by net in-migration from the West Coast and Mountain West. Figures shown reflect the most current U.S. Census ACS 2025 vintage estimates available.
Total population (2025 ACS)
Net migration rate (2023–2025)
Median age
Fastest-Growing Counties (2010–2025)
Gallatin County
~130,000 · Fastest growing (2010–2025)
Flathead County
~112,000 · Resort & lake migration
Missoula County
~120,000 · University & remote work
Ravalli County
~47,000 · Bitterroot Valley influx
Top States People Move From
California
Top source of relocators
Washington
Seattle/Bellevue outflow
Colorado
Front Range → Big Sky
Texas
Remote workers & retirees
Oregon
Portland/Willamette exodus
What's Next?
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