MoveCheck

Moving to Montana

Montana has experienced significant population growth driven by outdoor recreation appeal, frontier character, and proximity to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone's northern entrance.

  • The state has a top income tax rate of 5.65% — higher than many people expect from a Mountain West state — but no sales tax.
  • This page covers every Montana-destination route we track.
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Montana at a Glance

Taxes

State income tax5.65%
State sales taxNone
Property tax (eff.)0.61%

Climate

Avg annual temp43°F
Annual precipitation15″

Semi-arid and alpine with cold winters and warm, dry summers.

Cost of Living

COL index105.9 (US=100)
Avg electric bill$108/mo

Why People Move to Montana

Montana's appeal is lifestyle-driven.

  • The state has some of the lowest population density in the contiguous US — you can be in wilderness within an hour of virtually any Montana city.
  • Housing costs have risen substantially: Bozeman and Missoula now have median home prices of $600,000+ due to remote-worker influx, though rural areas remain affordable.

Montana surprises many arrivals with a 5.65% top income tax rate — higher than Colorado or Arizona.

  • The state has no sales tax, which partially offsets this on everyday spending.
  • The combination of high income tax and high housing costs in desirable areas means Montana is not the obvious tax haven it's sometimes perceived to be, but the lifestyle trade still drives strong in-migration from high-cost coastal states.

Popular Routes Moving to Montana

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Montana DMV & Registration

Montana requires you to get a Montana driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency.

  • Montana issues title directly to the owner even for financed vehicles — different from many states where the lender holds the title.
  • Montana has no front license plate requirement.
Official Montana DMV →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move to Montana?

Moves from neighboring western states (Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Colorado) run $1,500–$4,000.

  • Moves from the Midwest or East Coast run $3,500–$8,000.
  • Long-distance moves from California, New York, or Maryland run $4,000–$9,000 — all origins that appear in Montana destination search data.

Does Montana have an income tax?

Yes.

  • Montana has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.65% (2026).
  • This surprises many people who associate the Mountain West with no-income-tax states.
  • Montana has no sales tax, which partially offsets the income tax burden on everyday spending.
  • Property taxes average 0.61%, relatively low.

What are the best cities to live in Montana?

Bozeman: fastest growing, tech and outdoor company presence, excellent schools, expensive ($600K+ median home).

  • Missoula: university town (University of Montana), arts and culture scene, $550K median.
  • Billings: largest city, energy sector economy, most services, most affordable ($350K median).
  • Kalispell/Whitefish: gateway to Glacier, resort-town pricing.
  • Helena: state capital, small-town feel.

How has Montana's housing market changed?

Montana experienced one of the most dramatic appreciation runs in the country during 2020–2023, as remote workers from California and the Northeast discovered Bozeman and Missoula.

  • Median prices in Bozeman went from $350,000 in 2019 to over $700,000 at peak.
  • Prices have moderated but remain far above pre-pandemic levels.
  • Rural areas remain accessible.

What is winter like in Montana?

Montana winters are serious — January averages in Missoula and Bozeman are around 20°F, with cold snaps to -20°F.

  • Kalispell and Great Falls see even colder conditions.
  • Four-wheel drive with proper tires is practical rather than optional.
  • The trade-off: world-class skiing (Big Sky, Whitefish Mountain), snowmobiling, and winter outdoor culture that many residents love.