Cost of Living: Montana vs Wyoming
Wyoming is cheaper for a single adult by about $134/month, mainly driven by rent.
Comparison at a glance
- Monthly difference$134/moWyoming saves vs Montana
- Housing difference$0/moMontana cheaper on 1BR rent
- Grocery difference$29/moWyoming has a lighter basket
- Equivalent salary≈ $78,500$75,000 in Wyoming → Montana
- Cheaper overallWyoming~5% lower single-adult budget
- Affordability winnerWyomingLower combined rent + essentials
Side-by-side single-adult budget
The big differences between Montana and Wyoming 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 Wyoming actually pull ahead.
- Cheaper overallWyoming
Wyoming runs about $134/mo lower for a single-adult budget (~5% cheaper).
- Better housing affordabilityTie
1-bedroom rent is within a few percent in both regions.
- Better for familiesWyoming
Wyoming keeps the family-of-four monthly total lower thanks to cheaper 2BR rent and groceries.
- Better for retireesWyoming
Wyoming combines lower rent and healthcare with a softer income-tax burden — easier on a fixed pension.
- Better for remote workersWyoming
Wyoming has a lower cost index (95 vs 102), so an out-of-state salary stretches further.
- Better purchasing powerWyoming
Wyoming 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
Housing costs are essentially the same in both regions — within a few percent.
- Daily spending
Wyoming runs about 7% cheaper on groceries than Montana — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
- Transport & utilities
Wyoming runs about 7% cheaper on transport + utilities than Montana — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
- Lifestyle
Wyoming runs about 7% cheaper on lifestyle (dining + extras) than Montana — noticeable, but not a deciding factor on its own.
Purchasing power snapshot
Which region stretches a dollar further, category by category.
- HousingtieTied
Rent is comparable.
- Groceriesslight advantageWyoming
Weekly grocery basket is lighter in Wyoming.
- Utilitiesslight advantageWyoming
Lower monthly utility load in Wyoming.
- Transportslight advantageWyoming
Cheaper commuting overall in Wyoming.
- Healthcareslight advantageWyoming
Lower out-of-pocket healthcare in Wyoming.
- Lifestyleslight advantageWyoming
Dining, entertainment, and extras are cheaper in Wyoming.
Who benefits more?
The same comparison reads very differently depending on the household.
- FamiliesWyoming
Lower 2BR rent and grocery load make Wyoming the easier family budget.
- SinglesWyoming
Cheaper 1BR rent and entertainment costs tilt to Wyoming.
- RetireesWyoming
Wyoming eases housing and healthcare — important on a fixed income.
- Remote workersWyoming
An out-of-state salary stretches further in Wyoming thanks to a lower cost index.
- StudentsWyoming
Lower rent and commuting costs make Wyoming easier on a tight student budget.
- High earnersWyoming
Wyoming blends a more efficient tax load with stronger local incomes.
Equivalent lifestyle salary
How much you'd need in Montana to match the lifestyle a given salary buys in Wyoming.
needed in Montana for the same lifestyle.
needed in Montana for the same lifestyle.
needed in Montana for the same lifestyle.
Housing affordability
Rent is roughly equivalent in both regions — housing won't be the deciding factor.
Ownership affordability follows the same shape: lower rents typically signal more attainable mortgage payments at similar incomes.
Category-by-category
| Category | Montana | Wyoming | Lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1BR rent) | $1,100 | $1,100 | Tied |
| Groceries | $428 | $399 | Wyoming |
| Utilities | $199 | $185 | Wyoming |
| Transportation | $490 | $456 | Wyoming |
| Healthcare | $326 | $304 | Wyoming |
| Top income tax | 0.1% | 0.0% | Tied |
| Lifestyle (dining + extras) | $510 | $475 | Wyoming |
Comparison FAQ
- Is Montana more expensive than Wyoming?
- Montana is roughly 5% more expensive than Wyoming for a single-adult monthly budget — about $134 more per month.
- How much salary do I need to move from Wyoming to Montana?
- If $100,000 supports your lifestyle in Wyoming, you'd need roughly $104,500 in Montana to maintain the same purchasing power.
- Which region offers better affordability?
- Wyoming comes out lower on the combined single-adult budget — about $134/mo cheaper than Montana.
- Is housing significantly cheaper in one of them?
- Rent is roughly equivalent in both regions — housing won't be the deciding factor.
- Can a remote worker benefit from moving?
- Yes — a remote salary anchored to Montana rates stretches further in Wyoming, where local prices and taxes are lower.
- What income is considered comfortable in Montana?
- Roughly $56,000/yr gross typically supports a comfortable single-adult lifestyle in Montana, leaving room for savings on top of monthly costs.
Related cost-of-living comparisons
- Montana vs North Dakota cost of living
- Montana vs South Dakota cost of living
- Montana vs Idaho cost of living
- Wyoming vs South Dakota cost of living
- Wyoming vs Nebraska cost of living
- Wyoming vs Colorado cost of living
- Wyoming vs Utah cost of living
- Wyoming vs Idaho cost of living
- Wyoming vs North Dakota cost of living
- Montana vs Nebraska cost of living
Deep-dive each region
People also compare
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.