Montana
Montana ranks #11 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 72.1/100 and a B+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (72/100) and its weakest is Economy (46/100).
How Does Montana Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Montana
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | Bozeman | A | 62.9 | 55,042 | $79,903 | 428.4 | — |
| 155 | Whitefish | A | 61.6 | 8,422 | $71,110 | 178.9 | — |
| 175 | Belgrade | A | 61.0 | 11,425 | $88,896 | 276.4 | — |
| 185 | Kalispell | A | 60.7 | 26,830 | $61,590 | 423 | — |
| 255 | Helena Valley West Central | B+ | 58.8 | 8,224 | $89,040 | — | — |
| 260 | Missoula | B+ | 58.6 | 77,763 | $70,277 | 560.9 | 93.1 |
| 271 | Helena | B+ | 58.4 | 33,126 | $69,341 | 682.1 | — |
| 291 | Miles City | B+ | 57.8 | 8,412 | $60,732 | 105.5 | — |
| 351 | Evergreen | B | 56.4 | 8,908 | $73,015 | — | — |
| 421 | Livingston | B | 54.8 | 8,635 | $65,187 | 535.4 | — |
| 445 | Lockwood | B | 54.2 | 7,474 | $74,451 | — | — |
| 457 | Helena Valley Southeast | B | 54.0 | 9,533 | $63,824 | — | — |
| 470 | Laurel | B | 53.6 | 7,198 | $66,382 | 486.4 | — |
| 476 | Sidney | B | 53.5 | 6,235 | $62,992 | 543.6 | — |
| 504 | Billings | C+ | 52.9 | 120,874 | $67,028 | 898.9 | 89.6 |
| 505 | Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | C+ | 52.9 | 9,512 | $49,533 | — | — |
| 555 | Great Falls | C+ | 52.0 | 60,412 | $63,934 | 566.6 | 92.6 |
| 560 | Butte-Silver Bow | C+ | 51.9 | 34,929 | $57,633 | — | — |
| 572 | Lewistown | C+ | 51.7 | 6,028 | $44,195 | 538.3 | — |
| 835 | Havre | D | 44.2 | 9,333 | $58,000 | 830.2 | — |
Best Cities in Montana for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miles City | 66.0 | 59.6 | 93.0 | 73.9 |
| 2 | Whitefish | 65.8 | 62.7 | 85.9 | 56.7 |
| 3 | Belgrade | 63.5 | 53.7 | 78.8 | 60.0 |
| 4 | Bozeman | 62.3 | 51.4 | 65.8 | 55.3 |
| 5 | Kalispell | 61.0 | 49.8 | 62.1 | 67.2 |
More West States
Montana Rankings Overview
Montana earns an overall grade of B+ with a composite score of 72.1 out of 100, ranking #11 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (72/100) while its biggest challenge is Economy (46/100).
Economy & Employment in Montana
With an unemployment rate of 3.7% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Montana performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $72,340, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Montana
Montana's violent crime rate of 377 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Montana
Montana ranks #20 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #20 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Montana is 77.8 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Montana
Montana's total tax burden is 7.87% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 5.9%. The effective property tax rate is 0.79%, and there is no sales tax.
Housing & Affordability in Montana
The median home price in Montana is $523,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 90 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 7.2x.
Environment in Montana
Montana has a median air quality index of 27 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 53% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 49.8 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Montana
Montana's population growth rate is +1.4% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +4.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 78.3% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Montana
The top-ranked cities in Montana based on our composite scoring are Bozeman, Whitefish, and Belgrade. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Montana's overall ranking?
Montana ranks #11 out of 50 states with a composite score of 72.1/100 and a grade of B+.
Is Montana a good place to live?
Montana ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 72.1/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Montana?
The violent crime rate in Montana is 377 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Montana's economy compare?
Montana's median household income is $72,340 with an unemployment rate of 3.7%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Montana?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Montana are Bozeman, Whitefish, and Belgrade.
How does Montana rank for families?
Montana ranks #15 of 50 states for families with a score of 74.4/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Montana rank for retirees?
Montana ranks #11 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 75.3/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Montana rank for remote workers?
Montana ranks #4 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 75/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.