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Moving from Kansas to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Plains, aviation industry, university towns. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

KS state flag
Living now

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

Median household income $69,747 · winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

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
Kansas
90.1
Montana
94.6
Montana has 5.1% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kansas
71.2
Montana
84.6
Montana has 19% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kansas
97.5
Montana
98.7
Montana has 1.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kansas
98.5
Montana
99.2
Montana has 0.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 12% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kansas
98.0
Montana
98.9
Montana has 0.9% higher transportation
Median home value
Kansas
$238,700
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 78% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kansas
$861/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 8.4% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

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

Avg summer high
Kansas
89°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 6.7% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kansas
21°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 33% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kansas
55°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kansas
217
Montana
205
Montana has 5.5% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kansas
32 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 52% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Kansas
38
Montana
42
Montana has 11% higher AQI
Snow / year
Kansas
16 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 219% more annual snowfall

Get the full KansasMontana report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Montana than Kansas?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 90.1 for Kansas — 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?

Kansas tops out at 5.58% 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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