Cost of Living: Montana vs New Hampshire
Montana is cheaper for a single adult by about $711/month, mainly driven by rent.
Comparison at a glance
- Monthly difference$711/moMontana saves vs New Hampshire
- Housing difference$500/moMontana cheaper on 1BR rent
- Grocery difference$47/moMontana has a lighter basket
- Equivalent salary≈ $92,500$75,000 in Montana → New Hampshire
- Cheaper overallMontana~23% lower single-adult budget
- Affordability winnerMontanaLower combined rent + essentials
Side-by-side single-adult budget
The big differences between Montana and New Hampshire come down to rent and tax. Groceries, transport, and utilities are usually within 10–15%; housing can swing the total by hundreds of dollars per month.
Cost of Living Verdict
Six quick takes on where Montana and New Hampshire actually pull ahead.
- Cheaper overallMontana
Montana runs about $711/mo lower for a single-adult budget (~23% cheaper).
- Better housing affordabilityMontana
Average 1BR rent is $1,100 vs $1,600.
- Better for familiesMontana
Montana keeps the family-of-four monthly total lower thanks to cheaper 2BR rent and groceries.
- Better for retireesMontana
Montana combines lower rent and healthcare with a softer income-tax burden — easier on a fixed pension.
- Better for remote workersMontana
Montana has a lower cost index (102 vs 113), so an out-of-state salary stretches further.
- Better purchasing powerNew Hampshire
New Hampshire has a stronger median-income-to-cost ratio — local wages cover more of the typical basket.
What this difference means in practice
The headline gap broken into the four buckets that actually move household budgets.
- Housing impact
Montana is roughly 45% cheaper on housing (~$500/mo less than New Hampshire) — compounds quickly across a year.
- Daily spending
Montana runs about 11% cheaper on groceries than New Hampshire — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
- Transport & utilities
Montana runs about 11% cheaper on transport + utilities than New Hampshire — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
- Lifestyle
Montana runs about 11% cheaper on lifestyle (dining + extras) than New Hampshire — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
Purchasing power snapshot
Which region stretches a dollar further, category by category.
- Housingstrong advantageMontana
Montana is the cheaper place to rent or own.
- Groceriesmoderate advantageMontana
Weekly grocery basket is lighter in Montana.
- Utilitiesmoderate advantageMontana
Lower monthly utility load in Montana.
- Transportmoderate advantageMontana
Cheaper commuting overall in Montana.
- Healthcaremoderate advantageMontana
Lower out-of-pocket healthcare in Montana.
- Lifestylemoderate advantageMontana
Dining, entertainment, and extras are cheaper in Montana.
Who benefits more?
The same comparison reads very differently depending on the household.
- FamiliesMontana
Lower 2BR rent and grocery load make Montana the easier family budget.
- SinglesMontana
Cheaper 1BR rent and entertainment costs tilt to Montana.
- RetireesMontana
Montana eases housing and healthcare — important on a fixed income.
- Remote workersMontana
An out-of-state salary stretches further in Montana thanks to a lower cost index.
- StudentsMontana
Lower rent and commuting costs make Montana easier on a tight student budget.
- High earnersNew Hampshire
New Hampshire blends a more efficient tax load with stronger local incomes.
Equivalent lifestyle salary
How much you'd need in New Hampshire to match the lifestyle a given salary buys in Montana.
needed in New Hampshire for the same lifestyle.
needed in New Hampshire for the same lifestyle.
needed in New Hampshire for the same lifestyle.
Housing affordability
Housing is the dominant gap: Montana runs roughly 45% cheaper on 1BR rent and 50% cheaper on 2BR — enough to reshape household budgets.
Ownership affordability follows the same shape: lower rents typically signal more attainable mortgage payments at similar incomes.
Category-by-category
| Category | Montana | New Hampshire | Lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1BR rent) | $1,100 | $1,600 | Montana |
| Groceries | $428 | $475 | Montana |
| Utilities | $199 | $220 | Montana |
| Transportation | $490 | $542 | Montana |
| Healthcare | $326 | $362 | Montana |
| Top income tax | 0.1% | 0.0% | Tied |
| Lifestyle (dining + extras) | $510 | $565 | Montana |
Comparison FAQ
- Is Montana more expensive than New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire is roughly 23% more expensive than Montana for a single-adult monthly budget — about $711 more per month.
- How much salary do I need to move from Montana to New Hampshire?
- If $100,000 supports your lifestyle in Montana, you'd need roughly $123,500 in New Hampshire to maintain the same purchasing power.
- Which region offers better affordability?
- Montana comes out lower on the combined single-adult budget — about $711/mo cheaper than New Hampshire.
- Is housing significantly cheaper in one of them?
- Housing is the dominant gap: Montana runs roughly 45% cheaper on 1BR rent and 50% cheaper on 2BR — enough to reshape household budgets.
- Can a remote worker benefit from moving?
- Yes — a remote salary anchored to New Hampshire rates stretches further in Montana, where local prices and taxes are lower.
- What income is considered comfortable in New Hampshire?
- Roughly $72,000/yr gross typically supports a comfortable single-adult lifestyle in New Hampshire, leaving room for savings on top of monthly costs.
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These estimates are approximate and may vary by city, taxes, rent, family size, and personal spending. Use them as a starting point, not a substitute for personalised financial or tax advice.