How Much Does It Cost to Live in Montana?
- Last updated on: December 12, 2022
What is the average cost of living in Montana?
The average cost of living in Montana is $2,133.97 per month.
Montana is one of the most beautiful states that any nature lover will love calling home. Montana is most famous for its beautiful vast purple mountains and amber waves of grains. In addition to that, the state has several mineral deposits, including coal, oil, silver, and gold.
Montana is the fourth-largest state in the U.S. by area and the 44th most popular state in the United States. Moving to Montana is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get out of the hustle, bustle of busy downtowns, and breathe the fresh mountain air.
The biggest advantage of living in Montana is the affordable cost of living. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Montana in the city center is $1,096.95.
In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about the cost of living in Montana. So, let’s take a look!
(*Numbeo & Apartment List)
Cost of living in Montana - 2023
Housing cost in Montana
No matter where you live, one of your most significant ongoing expenses will be paying for housing. Housing cost in Montana is highly affordable, and the housing cost is below the national average.
Below is the list of the rental costs of some famous cities in Montana:
CITY | STUDIO | 1 BEDROOM | 2 BEDROOM | 3 BEDROOM | 4 BEDROOM |
BILLINGS | $981 | $881 | $1,208 | $1,810 | $2,055 |
MISSOULA | $986 | $1,070 | $1,377 | $1,530 | $1,814 |
GREAT FALLS | $733 | $795 | $972 | $1,446 | $2,050 |
HELENA | $750 | $905 | $1,218 | $1695 | $1417 |
BUTTE | $699 | $756 | $1,058 | $1,443 | $1,763 |
Below is the list of the housing costs to buy an apartment in some famous cities in Montana:
APARTMENT | PRICE PER SQUARE METER |
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Center | $11,063.50 |
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Center | $2,326.80 |
CITY | MEDIAN COST |
BILLINGS | $317,514 |
MISSOULA | $509,203 |
GREAT FALLS | $252,846 |
HELENA | $389,041 |
BUTTE | $171,497 |
Housing prices vary throughout the state greatly depending on the location.
What is the average rent cost for a 1-bedroom apartment in Montana?
Thethe average rent cost for a 1-bedroom apartment in Montana $1,096.95 per month.
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Utility costs in Montana: Internet, electricity & water
Whether you own a house or pay the rent, you must cover the utility cost. However, despite Montana‘s cold winters, the utility price falls below the national average.
The average basic utility package that includes heating, electricity, water, and garbage in some famous cities of Montana is as follows:
UTILITIES | COST PER MONTH IN DIFFERENT CITIES IN MONTANA | ||||
BILLINGS | MISSOULA | GREAT FALLS | HELENA | BUTTE | |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | $137.25 | $136.43 | $136.43 | $175.91 | $121.81 |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $63.33 | $65.62 | $65.62 | $79.67 | $62.67 |
(*Numbeo & Apartment List)
What is the average cost of utilities in Montana?
The average cost of utilities (Internet, electricity & water) in Montana is $207.54 per month.
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Grocery cost in Montana
Food is another everyday expense that significantly impacts the overall cost of living in an area. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that the cost of food varies from state to state.
According to Numbeo.com data, the average grocery cost in some famous cities of Montana is as follows:
GROCERY | COST PER MONTH IN DIFFERENT CITIES OF MONTANA | |||||
BILLINGS | MISSOULA | GREAT FALLS | HELENA | BUTTE | ||
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | $3.05 | $3.95 | $3.70 | $4.10 | $2.64 | |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | $2.17 | $2.54 | $2.54 | $2.83 | $1.50 | |
Rice (white), (1 lb) | $1.06 | $1.87 | $1.87 | $2.41 | $0.99 | |
Eggs (regular) (12) | $3.73 | $3.25 | $3.25 | $3.00 | $3.49 | |
Local Cheese (1 lb) | $4.58 | $7.33 | $4.50 | $12.67 | $4.00 | |
Chicken Filets (1 lb) | $4.48 | $4.99 | $4.99 | $4.40 | $5.72 | |
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $5.50 | $7.48 | $6.00 | $7.86 | $5.00 | |
Apples (1 lb) | $1.61 | $2.32 | $2.00 | $2.01 | $1.49 | |
Banana (1 lb) | $0.67 | $0.72 | $0.72 | $0.72 | $0.61 | |
Oranges (1 lb) | $1.37 | $1.78 | $1.78 | $1.75 | $0.99 | |
Tomato (1 lb) | $1.55 | $2.44 | $2.00 | $2.48 | $1.49 | |
Potato (1 lb) | $0.74 | $0.87 | $0.75 | $1.66 | $0.67 | |
Onion (1 lb) | $0.76 | $0.94 | $0.94 | $0.93 | $0.63 | |
Lettuce (1 head) | $1.65 | $1.99 | $1.25 | $1.96 | $1.40 | |
Water (1.5-liter bottle) | $1.11 | $1.86 | $1.86 | $2.30 | $1.25 | |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $13.00 | $11.00 | $8.00 | $13.00 | $12.50 | |
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | $2.86 | $2.69 | $2.50 | $5.00 | $2.00 | |
However, the food costs may vary depending on your area.
(*Numbeo & Sofi)
What is the average cost of groceries for 1 person in Montana?
The average cost of groceries for 1 person in Montana is $318.00 per month.
Public transport in Montana
Public transportation in Montana is well organized, except in some areas where you must have your vehicle. However, owning a car in Montana is relatively not expensive, and the prices in the state are relatively low compared to the rest of the country.
Below is the list of public transport cost comparisons between some famous cities in Montana:
TRANSPORTATION | COST PER MONTH IN DIFFERENT CITIES IN MONTANA | |||||
BILLINGS | MISSOULA | GREAT FALLS | HELENA | BUTTE | ||
MetroCards costs (single ride) | $2.00 | $0.00 | $1.50 | $3.00 | $0.00 | |
MetroCards Cost (Per Month) | $28.00 | $0.00 | $55.00 | $25.00 | $0.00 | |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $5.90 | $2.00 | $2.00 | $5.00 | $5.50 | |
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) | $5.00 | $2.35 | $2.35 | $2.00 | $2.00 | |
Gasoline (1 Gallon) | $4.41 | $5.45 | $5.45 | $4.52 | $4.39 | |
(*Numbeo & Transportation.gov)
What is the Montana Metro monthly pass price?
The Montana Metro monthly pass price is $28.00 in 2022.
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Entertainment costs in Montana
Montana is home to beautiful natural parks. Montana offers reasonable food options for its residents. According to Numbeo.com data, the entertainment costs in Montana are as follows:
ENTERTAINMENT | COSTS IN DIFFERENT CITIES IN MONTANA | ||||
BILLINGS | MISSOULA | GREAT FALLS | HELENA | BUTTE | |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $13.00 | $18.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $12.00 |
Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $25.00 | $50.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $10.50 |
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $13.50 | $15.00 | $10.00 | $12.00 | $11.00 |
(*Numbeo & Apartment List)
What is the average cost of entertainment in Montana?
The average cost of entertainment in Montana is $51 per month.
Healthcare costs in Montana
Healthcare is an essential expense. Therefore, we always include healthcare costs in our budget when moving to any place. Health insurance costs in Montana will vary greatly depending on your health, medication costs, whether you rely on employer-provided or personal health insurance, and the number of individuals in your household.
The healthcare costs in Montana are as follows:
HEALTHCARE | COST |
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person per month | $412 |
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for a Couple with at least one child | $1,071 |
Non-Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person | $539 |
Non-Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Couple with at least one child | $1,244 |
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $47.43 |
(*Numbeo, Valuepeguin & eHealth)
What is the average cost of a gym membership in Montana?
The average cost of a gym membership in Montana is $47.43 per month.
Sales tax in Montana
In Montana, residents must pay a state income tax determined by income. However, according to the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2021, Montana residents may pay as little as 1% or as much as 6.9%.
(*Sofi & Smart Asset)
Conclusion
Moving to Montana is not so challenging because the cost of living in Montana is affordable. And, if rightly budgeted, you can live in Montana in no time. But, first, calculate the average cost of living in Montana, as mentioned in the table below:
Average monthly cost of living in Montana
Category
Description
Cost
Housing
Average rent price for a 1 bedroom apartment + Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person + Average utilities cost
$1,070 + $412 + $142.54
Transportation
Metro Pass (1 month)
$28.00
Food
Average grocery cost per person per month
$318.00
Internet
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$65.00
Entertainment (for 1 time only)
Meal Inexpensive restaurant + Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat + Taxi 1-hour Waiting
$13.00 + $13.00 + $25.00
Health and Fitness
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$47.43
Total
Sum
$2,133.97
Note: The cost mentioned above may vary; for instance, if you are living with someone, your cost will be considerably low. Also, if you have a family, you will need to add the cost of each family member. Finally, the price may also vary depending upon the area you select to live in.
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