Montana

Montana is about 5% cheaper than the national average. Across the 6 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 96, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in Montana averages $1,719 a month across the 6 cities we track as of September 2026, 11% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks near the middle of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 6 cities we track in Montana, Helena has the lowest cost of living index at 85. The lowest typical rent is in Billings, at $1,390 a month.

Missoula has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Montana, at 100. The highest typical rent is in Bozeman, at $2,201 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $4.00 a gallon in Montana as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), about the same as the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.

Rent in Montana rose an average of 3.6% over the past year across the 6 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in Montana averages 15.6 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $140.

Full coverage car insurance in Montana averages $1,980 a year, or about $165 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.