11MT wins
0NV wins
Category Overlay
MontanaNevada
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMT +27.7
MT
46.1
NV
18.4
🛡️ SafetyMT +1.1
MT
50.9
NV
49.8
🏥 HealthMT +36.7
MT
61.2
NV
24.5
🎓 EducationMT +53.0
MT
61.2
NV
8.2
💼 Fiscal HealthMT +1.9
MT
59.5
NV
57.6
📈 GrowthMT +10.2
MT
62.7
NV
52.5
🏠 AffordabilityMT +9.8
MT
71.8
NV
62.0
🌿 EnvironmentMT +21.4
MT
62.9
NV
41.5
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMT +32.4
MT
71.7
NV
39.3
🚇 TransportationMT +7.2
MT
60.5
NV
53.3
🎭 LivabilityMT +16.6
MT
70.1
NV
53.5
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Montana | Nevada | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,132,812 | 3,194,176 | NV |
| Median Income | $72,340 | $70,448 | MT |
| Unemployment | 3.7% | 5.5% | MT |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 377 | 431 | MT |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 97 | MT |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 82% | MT |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77.5 yr | MT |
| Pop Growth | +1.4% | +1.5% | NV |
Montana vs Nevada: How Do They Compare?
Montana ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 71.1, earning a B+ grade. Nevada sits at #43 with 40.3 and a D grade. Montana has the edge overall, winning 11 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Montana has 3.7% unemployment and a $72,340 median income, while Nevada reports 5.5% unemployment and $70,448 median income.
For safety, Montana's violent crime rate is 377 per 100K compared to 431 in Nevada. Cost of living favors Montana with an index of 90 vs 97.
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Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023