Share this Article

Cost of Living in Montana, 2023

April 8, 2023
Thinking about moving to the Treasure State? Find out more about the cost of living in Montana, from housing, food, transportation, and more!

Montana is most famous for its purple mountains majesties and amber waves of grains. In addition to the breathtaking landscapes, the state is also home to several mineral deposits, including everything from coal and oil to silver and gold. Not surprisingly, it has been nicknamed the Treasure State.

Despite being the fourth largest state in the country, Montana remains the 44th-most populated, with an average of fewer than seven people per square mile. Offering great scenic areas and natural resources, in this state, the elk and antelope outnumber the humans. Montana is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of busy downtowns and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

If you’re considering a move to Montana, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll first want to check out this apartment guide. Next, you’ll want to do some research to find out what Montana’s cost of living prices look like. Thankfully, here at Apartment List, you can take a closer look at the cost of living in Montana to gain a better understanding of what type of budget you’ll need to live comfortably.

Montana Housing Costs

When making a big move, keep housing costs at top of mind, as they tend to be some of your highest living expenses, regardless of whether you plan on making mortgage payments or paying rent each month. Safely assume that housing costs will take up the most significant chunk of your monthly expenses. Keep this in mind as you begin to build a budget.

The Montana rental market is highly affordable, even amongst the most highly populated cities. Here is a list of average rent prices in five of the most densely populated Montana cities, including Butte-Silver Bow, Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman.

CityStarting 1-Bedroom RentStarting 2-Bedroom Rent
Butte-Silver Bow, MT$750$1,500
Great Falls, MT$1,200$1,100
Billings, MT$625$900
Missoula, MT$1,295$1,225
Bozeman, MT$1,800$1,650

Montana Transportation

Throughout the state of Montana, you’ll find public transportation such as vans, buses, planes, and trains. In some areas, though, you absolutely must have a vehicle of your own to get around. You can find out more information about what is available through the Montana Department of Transportation website.

You’ll need to look into the costs associated with having a vehicle of your own in Montana as well. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, average annual transportation costs are about $5,316 for a single individual. Larger families, such as families of four with two working parents and two children, can anticipate paying around $14,058 in annual transportation costs.

Considering the limited access to public transportation throughout the state, having a vehicle in Montana is probably the best way to get around. Thankfully, gas prices in the state are relatively low compared to the rest of the country and range from approximately $3.76 to $3.82 per gallon, depending on the city.

Montana Food Costs

The average single Montana resident spends around $4,686 on food or roughly $390.50 per month. For a four-person family with two working adults and two children, these costs nearly triple to $13,802 annually or approximately $1,150.16 per month.

While these food costs sound relatively reasonable compared to other states, it’s important to remember that these figures are associated with food that has been picked up at the local Whole Foods Market, Pavilions, or The Farms, and has been entirely prepared in the home. You will likely need to add a considerable amount to properly budget for dining out if home-cooked food isn't your primary source of meals.

Game meat is a must-eat in Montana, especially elk. At some point, you’ll have to do yourself a favor and try a juicy elk burger, known for leaner and higher protein than what is found in beef.

Here is a breakdown of the average cost for a meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant, with three courses, by city:

The exterior of St. Peter's Hospital Health Care Facility. A medical building in the city of Helena to care and treat patients all around Montana.

Montana Healthcare Costs

Regardless of where you live, having proper healthcare is a crucial. You’ll want to ensure you have proper health insurance whether you have a health condition that requires frequent care or you only visit a doctor for annual checkups. Having health insurance provides you with the necessary treatment should emergencies occur.

A single adult without children can anticipate paying around $2,675 for medical care in a single year. A family of four with two working adults and two children can expect to pay $8,507.

The federal healthcare marketplace lists out coverage for Montana residents. Since relocating outside of an enrollment period can cause complications, be sure to report your move to qualify for out-of-state coverage.

You might be able to maintain your coverage when moving to a new state if you are under 26 and still on your parent’s insurance plan. Check through your parent’s provider to see if your new Montana hometown has doctors that fall within the network.

Montana Utilities

Because Montana has a vast, mountainous topography, diverse climates are typical, extending the range for average utility bills, depending on your region. Statewide, Montana averages approximately 15.2 inches of rain and 48.8 inches of snow per year. The hottest month is July when temperatures can reach 83 degrees, and the coldest month is in December, with a low of 14 degrees.

Despite Montana’s cold winters, utilities typically fall below the national average of $240 monthly. The average cost of monthly utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for a 915 square foot apartment, is broken down by the major cities in Montana:

  • Billings: $109.43
  • Missoula: $140.23
  • Great Falls: $140.23
  • Bozeman: $109.43
  • Butte-Silver Bow: $121.81

Learn more about the estimated utility costs per city!

These costs cover basic utilities, but they do not cover additional items such as the internet. The average monthly costs of internet of 60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, or cable/ADSL in these major cities are:

If you consider cell phone costs as well, you’ll add an average of $94 monthly. You can seek discounts on these monthly costs by bundling your cell phone with your internet provider or new customer discounts.

Adventurous Man Kayaking in Lake McDonald during a sunny summer evening with American Rocky Mountains in the background. Taken in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA.

Montana Fitness and Entertainment

Montana has plenty of fitness and entertainment opportunities, depending on your personal preferences. If you choose to live in this beautiful state, you will likely take the time to enjoy the outdoors. Just don’t forget to account for some of your fitness and entertainment expenses in your budget.

Fitness

Winters are notoriously snowy, freezing, and partly cloudy in Montana. With that in mind, you will likely require a gym membership to maintain your fitness year-round. Thankfully, the average cost of a fitness club in major cities throughout Montana are considerably affordable:

  • Billings: $36.67
  • Missoula: $53.33
  • Great Falls: $33.33
  • Bozeman: $99.33
  • Butte-Silver Bow: $46.67

As the weather allows in other seasons, you can save on some of your gym membership fees by taking up other outdoor activities. Some of the popular Montana adventures include running, rafting, and hiking, all of which you could partake in at one of the plentiful National or State Parks.

National and State Parks

Montana is home to seven national state parks. Entrance fees vary, but you can also purchase an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass annual pass for $80, which allows access to all of the parks, the most popular being:

  • Big Hole National Battlefield
  • Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
  • Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
  • Glacier National Park
  • Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
  • Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
  • Yellowstone National Park

Aside from national parks, Montana has an astonishing 55 state parks. Residents of Montana can pay a $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration to enter state parks for free. Otherwise, day entrance fees are $8 per vehicle. Some of the most popular state parks include:

  • Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
  • Pictograph Cave State Park
  • Lost Creek State Park
  • Tongue River Reservoir State Park
  • Travelers’ Rest State Park

Glacier National Park MT

Other Expenses to Consider in Montana

One major downside to living in Montana is its progressive income tax rate, with a top rate of 6.9%. Thankfully, to help balance this, the state has no sales tax and property taxes that fall below the national average.

If you move from out of state, you’ll have even more expenses to consider. Extra costs you will have to budget include transportation, hotels, movers, and storage. Other things to consider are pet deposits, security deposits, and apartment application fees.

You’re also going to want to decorate your new Montana apartment to make it truly feel like home. Learn some tips on how to decorate your apartment on a budget to help keep you from overspending in this area as well.

Finding a recommended salary for your new life in Montana will mostly depend on your preferred lifestyle. The living wage in Montana is $15.72 per hour, which is the basic wage needed to pay for essentials such as housing, food, and necessities for an individual adult.

However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average salary index in Montana is $60,560 per year, roughly $29.12 per hour.

Using this information, you can calculate your recommended salary by utilizing the 30% rule, which says you should not spend more than one-third of your gross income on rent.

To determine how much money you will need to make to live comfortably in Montana, you can use Billings as an example, where the starting rent for a one-bedroom will cost $625. According to the 30% rule, your monthly wages should be at least three times this amount, equalling $2,083.33 per month or $25,000 annually.

Downtown Missoula Montana Scene Buildings

Final Thoughts - Is Montana Right for You?

Montana offers rental opportunities for all, from apartment complexes to remote, single-family homes. Unlike more densely populated states across the country, in Montana, you can choose just how much space you want between you and your neighbor.

Montana might be the place for you if you are looking to move somewhere where you can have the vast wilderness in your backyard and fully enjoy each season. Register with Apartment List today and start browsing available apartments available for rent in Montana!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Montana

How expensive is an apartment in Montana?

A one bedroom apartment in Bozeman, Montana costs $1,800. A two bedroom apartment in Bozeman costs $1,650. A one bedroom apartment in Missoula, Montana costs $1,295. A two bedroom apartment in Missoula costs $1,225. A one bedroom apartment in Billings, Montana costs $625. A two bedroom apartment in Billings costs $900. A one bedroom apartment in Great Falls, Montana costs $1,200. A two bedroom apartment in Great Falls costs $1,100. A one bedroom apartment in Butte-Silver Bow, Montana costs $750. A two bedroom apartment in Butte-Silver Bow costs $1,500.

What is the cheapest rent in Montana?

A one bedroom apartment in Billings, Montana is teh cheapest rent in Montana at $625.

How expensive is it to live in Montana?

The most expensive rent in Montana is a one bedroom apartment in Bozeman, Montana costs $1,800. Food in Montana costs $4,686 for a single adult and transportation costs $5,316 a year. Medical care in Montana costs an average of $2,675 a year for an adult.

What is the population of Montana?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Montana is 1,122,867. It is the fourth largest state in the country.

What is a good salary in Montana?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau,, the median household income in Montana is $60,560 or $5,046.66 per month. However, you should aim to spend no more than 30% of your income on rent. If you rent a one bedroom apartment in Billings for $625 per month, you should make at least $25,000 a year. For a one-bedroom apartment in Bozeman that costs $1,800 per month, you should earn at least $72,000 a year or $6,000 per year.

Share this Article

Emily Kho
EMILY KHO
Emily is a professionally trained writer who covers a wide range of topics associated with the rental market and real estate industry. With over a decade of professional writing experience, Emily comes from a strong background in the field backed with a Bachelor of Science from the world-renowned William F. Read More

Explore properties in Ashburn, VA

1 of 47
1 of 22
1 of 4
1 of 25
1 of 19
1 of 13
1 of 10
1 of 20
1 of 60
1 of 11
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest apartment hunting tips.
Next Up
8 Signs that You’ve Found the Right Apartment
36 Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment
11 Questions to Ask Potential Roommates
×
Your browser is no longer supported. Not all features may work as intended.