6MT wins
5WY wins
Category Overlay
MontanaWyoming
Category Scores
💰 EconomyWY +2.3
MT
46.1
WY
48.4
🛡️ SafetyWY +23.2
MT
56.4
WY
79.6
🏥 HealthMT +14.3
MT
61.2
WY
46.9
🎓 EducationMT +24.5
MT
61.2
WY
36.7
💼 Fiscal HealthWY +19.9
MT
59.5
WY
79.4
📈 GrowthMT +18.4
MT
62.7
WY
44.3
🏠 AffordabilityWY +0.6
MT
71.8
WY
72.4
🌿 EnvironmentMT +16.3
MT
62.9
WY
46.6
🏞️ Outdoor AccessWY +24.0
MT
71.7
WY
95.7
🚇 TransportationMT +7.8
MT
47.7
WY
39.9
🎭 LivabilityMT +12.9
MT
70.1
WY
57.2
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Montana | Wyoming | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,132,812 | 584,057 | MT |
| Median Income | $72,340 | $71,847 | MT |
| Unemployment | 3.7% | 3.5% | WY |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 377 | 203 | WY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 91 | MT |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 82% | MT |
| Life Expectancy | 77.8 yr | 77.5 yr | MT |
| Pop Growth | +1.4% | +0.6% | MT |
Montana vs Wyoming: How Do They Compare?
Montana ranks #11 overall with a composite score of 70.8, earning a B+ grade. Wyoming sits at #16 with 68.2 and a B+ grade. Montana has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Montana has 3.7% unemployment and a $72,340 median income, while Wyoming reports 3.5% unemployment and $71,847 median income.
For safety, Montana's violent crime rate is 377 per 100K compared to 203 in Wyoming. Cost of living favors Montana with an index of 90 vs 91.
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Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎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, Migration Data 2021-2022