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Moving from Utah to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Best ski resorts, youngest state, booming Silicon Slopes. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

UT state flag
Living now

Utah

Capital: Salt Lake City

Median household income $89,168 · winter low 22°F · 222 sunny days

Best ski resorts, youngest state, booming Silicon Slopes.

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
Utah
98.9
Montana
94.6
Montana has 4.3% lower overall price level
Housing index
Utah
107.8
Montana
84.6
Montana has 21% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Utah
99.7
Montana
98.7
Montana has 1.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Utah
99.8
Montana
99.2
Montana has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Utah
13.2 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 2.4% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Utah
99.8
Montana
98.9
Montana has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Utah
$545,200
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 22% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Utah
$1,343/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 31% 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
Utah
93°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 11% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Utah
22°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 36% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Utah
49°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 11% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Utah
222
Montana
205
Montana has 7.7% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Utah
14 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 6.3% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Utah
46
Montana
42
Montana has 8.7% lower AQI
Snow / year
Utah
52 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 1.9% less annual snowfall

Get the full UtahMontana 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 Utah?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.9 for Utah — 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?

Utah tops out at 4.5% 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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