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Moving from Oregon to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

OR state flag
Living now

Oregon

Capital: Salem

Median household income $76,362 · winter low 36°F · 144 sunny days

Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters.

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
Oregon
103.4
Montana
94.6
Montana has 8.4% lower overall price level
Housing index
Oregon
108.6
Montana
84.6
Montana has 22% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Oregon
100.8
Montana
98.7
Montana has 2.2% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Oregon
100.5
Montana
99.2
Montana has 1.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 9.5% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Oregon
100.7
Montana
98.9
Montana has 1.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Oregon
$497,500
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 14% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Oregon
$1,377/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 32% 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
Oregon
80°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 3.8% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Oregon
36°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 61% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Oregon
50°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 13% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Oregon
144
Montana
205
Montana has 42% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Oregon
37 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 58% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Oregon
28
Montana
42
Montana has 50% higher AQI
Snow / year
Oregon
22 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 132% more annual snowfall

Get the full OregonMontana 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 Oregon?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 100.5 for Oregon — 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?

Oregon tops out at 9.9% 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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