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Moving from New Jersey to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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
New Jersey
108.8
Montana
94.6
Montana has 13% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
Montana
84.6
Montana has 37% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Jersey
102.2
Montana
98.7
Montana has 3.5% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
Montana
99.2
Montana has 2.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 43% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
Montana
98.9
Montana has 2.8% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 14% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 40% 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
New Jersey
86°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 3.5% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 42% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 17% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
Montana
205
Montana has 1.0% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 68% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
New Jersey
44
Montana
42
Montana has 4.5% lower AQI
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 113% more annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseyMontana 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 New Jersey?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey — 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?

New Jersey tops out at 10.75% 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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