Montana
105.9
composite · rank #35
- Housing
- 113.2
- Grocery
- 102.4
- Utilities
- 80.2
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Montana vs Arizona Cost of Living
Montana has the lower cost of living by 1.7 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Montana is lower
1.7 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Arizona is roughly $98,420 in Montana.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Arizona
107.6
composite · rank #36
- Housing
- 119
- Grocery
- 99.6
- Utilities
- 102.1
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Montana | Arizona | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 102.4 | 99.6 | Arizona |
| Housing | 113.2 | 119 | Montana |
| Utilities | 80.2 | 102.1 | Montana |
| Transportation | 103.9 | 103.5 | Arizona |
| Health care | 106.3 | 98.8 | Arizona |
| Misc. goods & services | 108 | 104.9 | Arizona |
Grocery
Montana102.4
Arizona99.6
Lower cost: Arizona
Housing
Montana113.2
Arizona119
Lower cost: Montana
Utilities
Montana80.2
Arizona102.1
Lower cost: Montana
Transportation
Montana103.9
Arizona103.5
Lower cost: Arizona
Health care
Montana106.3
Arizona98.8
Lower cost: Arizona
Misc. goods & services
Montana108
Arizona104.9
Lower cost: Arizona
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Arizona | Needed in Montana |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,803 | $49,210 |
| $75,000 | $76,204 | $73,815 |
| $100,000 | $101,605 | $98,420 |
| $150,000 | $152,408 | $147,630 |
| $250,000 | $254,013 | $246,050 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Arizona$50,803
In Montana$49,210
$75,000 origin salary
In Arizona$76,204
In Montana$73,815
$100,000 origin salary
In Arizona$101,605
In Montana$98,420
$150,000 origin salary
In Arizona$152,408
In Montana$147,630
Housing gap
Montana housing is 113.2; Arizona is 119.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Montana is roughly $101,605 in Arizona.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Montana vs Arizona cost of living FAQs
Montana has the lower cost of living by 1.7 index points. The composite indexes are 105.9 in Montana and 107.6 in Arizona (US average = 100).
About $101,605 in Arizona would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Montana, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,420 in Montana would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Arizona.
Housing indexes are 113.2 in Montana and 119 in Arizona. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Montana has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.