9MT wins
2PA wins
Category Overlay
MontanaPennsylvania
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMT +4.3
MT
46.1
PA
41.8
🛡️ SafetyPA +20.7
MT
50.9
PA
71.6
🏥 HealthMT +12.2
MT
61.2
PA
49.0
🎓 EducationPA +18.4
MT
61.2
PA
79.6
💼 Fiscal HealthMT +13.9
MT
59.5
PA
45.6
📈 GrowthMT +32.2
MT
62.7
PA
30.5
🏠 AffordabilityMT +3.2
MT
71.8
PA
68.6
🌿 EnvironmentMT +24.9
MT
62.9
PA
38.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMT +51.9
MT
71.7
PA
19.8
🚇 TransportationMT +4.5
MT
60.5
PA
56.0
🎭 LivabilityMT +28.6
MT
70.1
PA
41.5
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Montana | Pennsylvania | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,132,812 | 12,961,683 | PA |
| Median Income | $72,340 | $73,823 | PA |
| Unemployment | 3.7% | 4.1% | MT |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 377 | 313 | PA |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 98 | MT |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 88% | PA |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77.6 yr | MT |
| Pop Growth | +1.4% | +0.3% | MT |
Montana vs Pennsylvania: How Do They Compare?
Montana ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 71.1, earning a B+ grade. Pennsylvania sits at #23 with 60.3 and a B grade. Montana has the edge overall, winning 9 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Montana has 3.7% unemployment and a $72,340 median income, while Pennsylvania reports 4.1% unemployment and $73,823 median income.
For safety, Montana's violent crime rate is 377 per 100K compared to 313 in Pennsylvania. Cost of living favors Montana with an index of 90 vs 98.
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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