9MT wins
2TX wins
Category Overlay
MontanaTexas
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMT +6.5
MT
46.1
TX
39.6
🛡️ SafetyMT +3.6
MT
50.9
TX
47.3
🏥 HealthMT +42.8
MT
61.2
TX
18.4
🎓 EducationMT +28.5
MT
61.2
TX
32.7
💼 Fiscal HealthTX +12.7
MT
59.5
TX
72.2
📈 GrowthMT +1.9
MT
62.7
TX
60.8
🏠 AffordabilityTX +4.0
MT
71.8
TX
75.8
🌿 EnvironmentMT +22.1
MT
62.9
TX
40.8
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMT +67.0
MT
71.7
TX
4.7
🚇 TransportationMT +14.5
MT
60.5
TX
46.0
🎭 LivabilityMT +42.4
MT
70.1
TX
27.7
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Montana | Texas | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,132,812 | 30,503,301 | TX |
| Median Income | $72,340 | $73,035 | TX |
| Unemployment | 3.7% | 4.2% | MT |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 377 | 401 | MT |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 97 | MT |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 90% | TX |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77 yr | MT |
| Pop Growth | +1.4% | +1.7% | TX |
Montana vs Texas: How Do They Compare?
Montana ranks #12 overall with a composite score of 71.1, earning a B+ grade. Texas sits at #37 with 45.8 and a C 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 Texas reports 4.2% unemployment and $73,035 median income.
For safety, Montana's violent crime rate is 377 per 100K compared to 401 in Texas. 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