Compare states / Montana
MT
Compare Montana with other states
With about 1.2 million residents, Montana is the 8th-least populous state (7.9 people per square mile). Wages are taxed at a top rate of 5.65%; it is one of 4 states with no general sales tax. The median home value, $472,698, ranks 13th-highest of 50. It is one of 8 states that can tax Social Security benefits.
Data: Montana (mtrevenue.gov, dojmt.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 5.65% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 0.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.61% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | County property tax on vehicles, about 1.13% effective |
| Social Security tax | Taxes the federally taxable portion of Social Security benefits. No Social Security-specific exemption. Taxpayers age 65 or older get a $5,500 subtraction from federal taxable income ($11,000 if both spouses qualify), adjusted for inflation. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $10.85 for businesses with gross annual sales over $110,000. Certain small businesses not covered by the FLSA may pay $4.00. |
| Median home value | $472,698 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 0.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $10.00 |
| Registration (base) | $30.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 55 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 2 |
| Population | 1,151,831 |
| Population density | 7.9 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 85.1% White (non-Hispanic) 4.3% Hispanic 1.1% Black 0.9% Asian |
| Violent crime | 423.5 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Montana
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 5.65%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Montana
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 0.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Montana
- Get an MT driver license within 60 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Montana.
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Montana elections site.
- Nurse license: Montana is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Montana: September 10. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Montana compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 5.65% in Montana vs 13.3% in California (lower in Montana).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Montana are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Montana Social Security tax.
- Estate tax. Montana has no state estate tax (MT tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Montana has no state inheritance tax (MT tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Montana $10.85.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Montana 0.00%.
- State parks. Montana 55. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; MT 2).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (MT).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Montana 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Montana 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled