Cost of living in Montana
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in Montana are 5.4% below the national average, the 30th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Utilities stand out in Montana: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 27.7% below the US average.
- Within Montana, metro price levels run from 93.5 in Billings, MT to 102.5 in Bozeman, MT (US = 100).
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $59,203 in 2017 dollars, 20th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- In Montana, housing (15.4% below average) and everyday costs (goods 4.0% below average, other services 1.3% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.
- Relative to the US, the price level in Montana has barely moved: 94.1 in 2008, 94.2 in 2019 and 94.6 in 2024.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In Montana, utilities is the category furthest from the US average: 27.7% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Montana | |
|---|---|
| All items | 94.6 |
| Goods | 96.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 84.6 |
| Utilities | 72.3 |
| Other services | 98.7 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.47 a gallon in the Rocky Mountain region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.18 more than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for Montana, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in Montana
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 5 metro areas BEA measures in Montana are Billings, MT (93.5), Helena, MT (95.7) and Missoula, MT (96.4); the most expensive is Bozeman, MT (102.5). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Billings, MT is the cheapest metro area in Montana (93.5); Bozeman, MT the most expensive (102.5)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93.5 |
| Helena, MT | 95.7 |
| Missoula, MT | 96.4 |
| Great Falls, MT | 96.8 |
| Bozeman, MT | 102.5 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93.5 | 77.4 | 96.0 | 72.4 | 98.7 | $1,390 |
| Helena, MT | 95.7 | 90.1 | 96.0 | 72.6 | 98.7 | $1,646 |
| Missoula, MT | 96.4 | 94.9 | 96.0 | 72.1 | 98.7 | $1,622 |
| Great Falls, MT | 96.8 | 97.1 | 96.0 | 73.0 | 98.7 | $1,428 |
| Bozeman, MT | 102.5 | 139.2 | 96.0 | 73.6 | 98.7 | $2,201 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
Montana has stayed below the US average since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Montana | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.1 |
| 2009 | 93.2 |
| 2010 | 92.4 |
| 2011 | 94.2 |
| 2012 | 93.2 |
| 2013 | 92.9 |
| 2014 | 95.2 |
| 2015 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 93.9 |
| 2017 | 94.2 |
| 2018 | 92.4 |
| 2019 | 94.2 |
| 2020 | 92.0 |
| 2021 | 91.3 |
| 2022 | 90.2 |
| 2023 | 91.0 |
| 2024 | 94.6 |
Goods: 99.8 in 2008, 96.0 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Montana | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.8 |
| 2009 | 99.7 |
| 2010 | 99.3 |
| 2011 | 99.6 |
| 2012 | 97.7 |
| 2013 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 97.2 |
| 2015 | 101.4 |
| 2016 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 101.9 |
| 2018 | 96.2 |
| 2019 | 98.9 |
| 2020 | 95.9 |
| 2021 | 96.8 |
| 2022 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 96.0 |
Housing (rents): 69.4 in 2008, 84.6 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Montana | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 69.4 |
| 2009 | 67.9 |
| 2010 | 69.9 |
| 2011 | 73.1 |
| 2012 | 72.3 |
| 2013 | 71.8 |
| 2014 | 81.2 |
| 2015 | 73.9 |
| 2016 | 73.1 |
| 2017 | 70.5 |
| 2018 | 76.6 |
| 2019 | 79.5 |
| 2020 | 75.7 |
| 2021 | 79.3 |
| 2022 | 74.3 |
| 2023 | 76.8 |
| 2024 | 84.6 |
Utilities: 76.5 in 2008, 72.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Montana | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 76.5 |
| 2009 | 75.9 |
| 2010 | 80.5 |
| 2011 | 85.3 |
| 2012 | 84.8 |
| 2013 | 84.7 |
| 2014 | 84.2 |
| 2015 | 85.9 |
| 2016 | 87.0 |
| 2017 | 83.2 |
| 2018 | 76.9 |
| 2019 | 79.2 |
| 2020 | 79.2 |
| 2021 | 74.7 |
| 2022 | 72.9 |
| 2023 | 72.8 |
| 2024 | 72.3 |
Other services: 100.7 in 2008, 98.7 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Montana | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 |
| 2009 | 99.8 |
| 2010 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 99.6 |
| 2012 | 98.5 |
| 2013 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 99.7 |
| 2015 | 99.4 |
| 2016 | 96.7 |
| 2017 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 96.6 |
| 2019 | 97.3 |
| 2020 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 92.5 |
| 2022 | 92.7 |
| 2023 | 93.6 |
| 2024 | 98.7 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in Montana is $59,203, 20th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- Montana
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| Montana | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $42,435 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $41,658 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $43,082 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $43,686 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $45,713 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $45,180 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $45,344 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $46,713 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $47,039 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $48,274 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $50,168 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $50,997 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $55,801 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $59,635 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $59,372 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $60,386 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $59,203 | $59,195 |
Compare Montana with other states
States with similar prices
- Idaho 95.5
- Tennessee 91.9
- Nebraska 90.1
- New Mexico 92.2
- Wyoming 92.7
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.