Compare states / Montana / to Colorado
MT → CO
Moving from Montana to Colorado
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Montana vs Colorado using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Montana | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 5.65% | 4.4% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 0.00% | 7.89% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.74% | 0.55% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 1.13% effective | Yes — 1.79% effective |
| Median home value | $472,698 | $548,480 |
| Tax when you title a car | 0.00% | 2.90% |
| State parks | 55 | 43 |
| National parks | 2 | 4 |
| Population density | 7.9/sq mi | 58.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 423.5 | 476.3 |
| Demographics | 85.1% White (non-Hispanic) 4.3% Hispanic 1.1% Black 0.9% Asian | 66.1% White (non-Hispanic) 22.5% Hispanic 4.1% Black 3.5% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 60 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 60 | 90 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Montana to Colorado?
Montana: Top listed rate 5.65%. Colorado: Flat 4.4%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,329 in Montana vs $5,280 in Colorado. If you earned in both states this year, see MT tax agency and CO tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Montana to Colorado?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 5.65% vs 4.4%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Colorado
New Colorado residents typically have 90 days to title and register. Inspection: Emissions on the Front Range. The title-tax rate used here is 2.90%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $869.40 (tax $812.00 + title $7.20 + registration $43.00 + plate $7.20). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Colorado
Title fee + plate + base registration + 2.90% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Colorado
After you become a Colorado resident, you typically have 30 days to get a Colorado driver license. Bring your Montana license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Colorado. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Colorado DMV. Montana plates are not a substitute for Colorado registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Colorado residents from Montana
- Get a CO driver license within 30 days. Bring your MT license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Colorado (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Colorado DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 90 days. Inspection: Emissions on the Front Range.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 8 days before an election. Colorado elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. MT tax agency · CO tax agency.
- Both Montana and Colorado are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Montana to Colorado
- Top listed income-tax rate: 5.65% in Montana vs 4.4% in Colorado (lower in Colorado).
- New Colorado residents typically have 30 days to get a driver license (60 days is the Montana window in this file).
- Title the car in Colorado within 90 days. Montana plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Colorado title-tax rate used here is 2.90%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $869.40 (county extras omitted).
- Effective real-estate property tax: 0.74% in Montana vs 0.55% in Colorado.
Common questions
How does sales tax in Colorado compare to Montana?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 0.00% in Montana vs 7.89% in Colorado. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Montana to Colorado?
The top listed rate goes down: 5.65% in Montana vs 4.4% in Colorado. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,329 in Montana vs $5,280 in Colorado. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in Montana vs Colorado?
Montana has 55 state parks and 2 national parks in this file. Colorado has 43 state parks and 4 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in Colorado compare to Montana?
Population density is 7.9 people per square mile in Montana vs 58.0 in Colorado.
How do Montana and Colorado compare on demographics?
Montana: 85.1% White (non-Hispanic), 4.3% Hispanic, 1.1% Black, 0.9% Asian. Colorado: 66.1% White (non-Hispanic), 22.5% Hispanic, 4.1% Black, 3.5% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Colorado and the reverse route, Colorado → Montana.
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