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Moving from Montana to Colorado

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

MT state flag
Living now

Montana

Capital: Helena

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

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

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

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

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Montana
94.6
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 8.9% higher overall price level
Housing index
Montana
84.6
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 50% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Montana
98.7
Colorado
100.8
Colorado has 2.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Montana
99.2
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 1.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 24% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Montana
98.9
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 1.7% higher transportation
Median home value
Montana
$425,400
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 35% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Montana
$933/mo
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Colorado is 74% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Montana
83°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 3.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Montana
14°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 29% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Montana
44°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 5.3% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Montana
205
Colorado
245
Colorado has 20% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Montana
15 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 9.2% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Montana
42
Colorado
74
Colorado has 76% higher AQI
Snow / year
Montana
51 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 35% more annual snowfall

Get the full MontanaColorado 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 Colorado than Montana?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 95 for Montana — 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?

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

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

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

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