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Moving from Colorado to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

MT state flag
Moving to

Montana

Capital: Helena

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days

Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

Montana has an overall price level 94.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Colorado
103.1
Montana
94.6
Montana has 8.2% lower overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
Montana
84.6
Montana has 34% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
Montana
98.7
Montana has 2.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
Montana
99.2
Montana has 1.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 19% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
Montana
98.9
Montana has 1.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 26% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 43% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 83°F · Winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Colorado
86°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 3.5% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 22% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 5.0% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
Montana
205
Montana has 16% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 8.4% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Colorado
74
Montana
42
Montana has 43% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 26% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoMontana report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Montana than Colorado?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% income tax. Montana tops out at 5.65%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Montana?

Most Montana residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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