Montana vs 
Wyoming
Take-home pay after federal tax, state income tax, and FICA — calculated with the same engine as our paycheck calculator.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Winner at $100k
Wyoming
Extra take-home / year
$4,789
Per month
$399
Over 10 years
$47,890
Moving from Montana → Wyoming at $100,000
Metric vs metric
Lower tax and cost figures generally favor the highlighted cell. Rate structure notes sit under each state's calculator link.
| Metric | Montana | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 5.65% · Progressive (top 5.65%) | 0% · No state income tax (0%) |
| Combined sales tax | ~0% | ~5.39% |
| Effective property tax | ~0.61% | ~0.53% |
| Cost of living index | 105.9 | 93.7 |
| Median household income | $68,800 | $72,800 |
| Unemployment rate | 3% | 3% |
Dig into each state's paycheck
Montana rate structure
Progressive brackets; top marginal rate applies above mid-five-figure taxable income.
Wyoming rate structure
No state income tax on wages — constitutional ban on personal income tax.
Overview
Montana has progressive (top 5.65%), while Wyoming has no state income tax. Moving from Montana to Wyoming saves about $4,789/year in take-home at $100,000 gross (single filer). Sales tax: ~0% vs ~5.39%. Property tax: ~0.61% vs ~0.53%. Median household income (ACS 2024): $68,800 vs $72,800. Neither Montana nor Wyoming has a state sales tax on most goods, which makes both attractive for big purchases. The MT–WY border is a popular corridor for tax planning: Wyoming’s $0 wage income tax and lower effective property tax stack with cheaper housing in places like Cheyenne, while Montana offers larger metros (Missoula, Bozeman, Billings), university towns, and a deeper job market.
Take-home by income
Net pay after federal income tax, state income tax, and FICA — single filer, standard deduction, no dependents (2026). Advantage is take-home in Wyoming minus Montana.
| Gross | Montana take-home | Wyoming take-home | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,346 | $42,355 | +$2,009 |
| $75,000 | $58,216 | $61,593 | +$3,377 |
| $100,000Headline | $74,391 | $79,180 | +$4,789 |
| $150,000 | $106,177 | $113,791 | +$7,614 |
| $200,000 | $138,488 | $148,927 | +$10,439 |
| $500,000 | $313,088 | $340,477 | +$27,389 |
Assumptions: single filer, standard deduction, no dependents, tax year 2026. At $100k: FICA ≈ $7,650 in both states; effective total tax rate ≈ 25.6% in Montana vs 20.8% in Wyoming. Local city taxes are not included unless noted.
$100k tax breakdown: Montana vs Wyoming
Where a $100,000 paycheck goes after federal income tax, state income tax, and FICA (2026, single filer).
| Line item | Montana | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Federal income tax (est.) | $13,170 | $13,170 |
| State income tax | $4,789 | $0 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | $7,650 | $7,650 |
| Take-home pay | $74,391 | $79,180 |
| Effective total tax rate | 25.6% | 20.8% |
| Monthly take-home | $6,199 | $6,598 |
Federal estimates can differ slightly between states when state interactions affect taxable income. Combined sales tax ~0% (Montana) vs ~5.39% (Wyoming); effective property tax ~0.61% vs ~0.53%.
Pros & cons: Montana vs Wyoming
Tax structure, living costs, and lifestyle trade-offs beyond the paycheck number.
Montana
Pros
- No statewide sales tax — strong for large purchases and online shopping
- Larger metros and amenities (Missoula, Bozeman, Billings) than Wyoming
- Broader job market including healthcare, education, and growing tech in Bozeman
- University towns (University of Montana, Montana State) with culture and research
- Outdoor access: Glacier, Yellowstone gateway, skiing and fishing
Cons
- −State income tax on wages — meaningful cost at $100k+ vs Wyoming’s $0
- −Higher effective property tax than Wyoming on a typical home
- −Hot housing markets (especially Bozeman) can erase tax savings for buyers
- −Harsh winters and remote distances between population centers
- −Rapid in-migration has pushed up costs in desirable towns
Wyoming
Pros
- Zero state income tax on wages — largest take-home edge at every ladder step
- Lower effective property tax than Montana on comparable home values
- Mineral and energy revenue helps fund services without wage income tax
- Generally lower housing costs outside resort pockets vs Montana boom towns
- Straightforward tax story for remote W-2 workers who can choose domicile
Cons
- −Smaller metros and fewer non-energy job options than Montana
- −Combined state + local sales tax applies (unlike Montana’s $0 statewide sales tax)
- −Very rural outside Cheyenne/Casper — amenities and culture are thinner
- −Harsh winters and high winds similar to (or worse than) Montana
- −Less university-town culture and nightlife than Missoula or Bozeman
Who wins when
Quick read on when each state is the better fit — beyond the headline tax number.
- Wyoming wins on take-home pay at every salary band in our ladder (single filer, standard deduction).
- Montana: No statewide sales tax — strong for large purchases and online shopping
- Montana: Larger metros and amenities (Missoula, Bozeman, Billings) than Wyoming
- Wyoming: Zero state income tax on wages — largest take-home edge at every ladder step
- Wyoming: Lower effective property tax than Montana on comparable home values
How we calculate Montana vs Wyoming
Tax engine. Federal income tax uses 2026 IRS brackets and the standard deduction for a single filer. FICA includes Social Security and Medicare employee shares. State income tax applies Montana's and Wyoming's rules as modeled in our US calculator (Progressive (top 5.65%) vs No state income tax (0%)).
What's included. Wage income only — no capital gains, self-employment tax, itemized deductions, credits, or local city wage taxes (e.g. NYC) unless noted. Sales tax (~0% vs ~5.39%) and property tax (~0.61% vs ~0.53%) are context metrics, not subtracted from the take-home ladder.
Cost of living. COL indexes (105.9 vs 93.7, 100 = US average) and median household income ($68,800 vs $72,800) help interpret whether a paycheck win buys more in real life. For city-level equivalent salary, use the Montana → Wyoming relocation calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Montana vs Wyoming taxes, take-home pay, and relocation.
Moving Montana → Wyoming?
Model cost-of-living equivalent salary, or open each state's paycheck calculator with your filing status and deductions.
Related tools
Estimates only for tax year 2026. Not tax advice — verify with your state tax agency or a CPA before relocating. Figures assume a single filer with the standard deduction and no dependents.