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Moving from Montana to Kentucky

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns. vs. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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.

KY state flag
Moving to

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

Kentucky has an overall price level 90.2 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Montana
94.6
Kentucky
90.2
Kentucky has 4.7% lower overall price level
Housing index
Montana
84.6
Kentucky
64.3
Kentucky has 24% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Montana
98.7
Kentucky
97.5
Kentucky has 1.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Montana
99.2
Kentucky
98.5
Kentucky has 0.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Kentucky has 10% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Montana
98.9
Kentucky
98.0
Kentucky has 0.9% lower transportation
Median home value
Montana
$425,400
Kentucky
$226,000
Kentucky is 47% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Montana
$933/mo
Kentucky
$852/mo
Kentucky is 8.7% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Montana
83°F
Kentucky
87°F
Kentucky is 4.8% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Montana
14°F
Kentucky
26°F
Kentucky is 86% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Montana
44°F
Kentucky
56°F
Kentucky is 28% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Montana
205
Kentucky
189
Kentucky has 7.8% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Montana
15 in
Kentucky
48 in
Kentucky is 216% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Montana
42
Kentucky
48
Kentucky has 14% higher AQI
Snow / year
Montana
51 in
Kentucky
9 in
Kentucky is 82% less annual snowfall

Get the full MontanaKentucky 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 Kentucky than Montana?

Kentucky's overall price level is roughly 87.5 (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. Kentucky tops out at 3.5%.

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

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

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