State Comparison

California vs Montana

Montana is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Montana, California has higher incomes, Montana has lower state income tax, and California gets more sunshine.

California

CA • West

Quality of Life Score

50.49

Montana

MT • West

Better quality of life

Quality of Life Score

55.21

California

13 / 31

metrics won

Score

Montana

18 / 31

metrics won

Wins

MT wins Housing

MT wins Quality of Life

CA wins Climate

MT wins Income

Quality of Life

Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.

California

50.49

Montana winner

55.21

Montana scores higher on quality of life — 4.72 points difference.

Quick Take

California vs Montana

This quick read mixes affordability, housing, income, politics, density, and climate so the biggest tradeoffs show up fast.

California has a larger population than Montana by 38,453,998 people.
Montana has the lower cost-of-living index. Montana is at 105.2, while California is at 138.5.
After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $107.15 of local buying power in Montana, versus $92.31 in California.
California has the higher median household income at $84,097, compared with $63,249 in Montana.

Overview

Key differences overview

These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.

Overall Affordability

Montana is 33.3 points cheaper overall

Montana has the lower cost-of-living index. Montana is at 105.2, while California is at 138.5.

View detailed comparison

Real Dollar Value

$100 goes $14.84 further in Montana

After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $107.15 of local buying power in Montana, versus $92.31 in California.

View detailed comparison

Income

California income is 33.0% higher

California has the higher median household income at $84,097, compared with $63,249 in Montana.

View detailed comparison

Jobs

California minimum wage is $6.05 higher

California has the higher statewide minimum wage at $16.90/hr, compared with $10.85/hr in Montana.

View detailed comparison

Housing

California homes cost about 1.8x more

Montana has the lower median home value at $376,200, versus $693,700 in California.

View detailed comparison

Taxes

Montana has lower state income tax

Montana has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 6.75%, compared with 13.30% in California.

View detailed comparison

Full Comparison

Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Capital City The official state capital.	Sacramento	Helena	Details ->
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Blue	Solid Red	Details ->
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	39,538,223	1,084,225	Details ->
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$84,097	$63,249	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	138.5	105.2	Details ->
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$693,700	$376,200	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.70%	0.72%	Details ->
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	13.30%	6.75%	Details ->
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$16.90/hr	$10.85/hr	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$5.929/gal	$3.796/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	30.29 c/kWh	12.86 c/kWh	Details ->
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	50.49	55.21	Details ->
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	59.4°F	42.7°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	146 days	82 days	Details ->
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	163,696 sq mi	147,040 sq mi	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	241.5 per sq mi	7.4 per sq mi	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	September 9, 1850 (#31)	November 8, 1889 (#41)	Details ->

Population -> Median Income -> Cost of Living -> Median Housing Value -> Property Tax -> State Income Tax -> Minimum Wage -> Gas Price -> Electricity Rates -> Livability Score -> Average Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Land Area -> Population Density ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	39,538,223	1,084,225	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	241.5 per sq mi	7.4 per sq mi	Details ->
Bachelor's Degree Adults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023).	37.5%	34.6%	Details ->
Advanced Degree Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).	14.7%	12.0%	Details ->

Population -> Population Density -> Bachelor's Degree -> Advanced Degree ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$16.90/hr	$10.85/hr	Details ->

Minimum Wage ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	50.49	55.21	Details ->
Best State to Live In Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.	50.49	55.21	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	138.5	105.2	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$5.929/gal	$3.796/gal	Details ->
Gas Tax State gasoline excise tax in cents per gallon. Lower = lower state fuel tax burden.	54.00 c/gal	33.00 c/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	30.29 c/kWh	12.86 c/kWh	Details ->
Commute Time Average commute time in minutes.	28.4 min	17.9 min	Details ->

Livability Score -> Best State to Live In -> Cost of Living -> Gas Price -> Gas Tax -> Electricity Rates -> Commute Time ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	59.4°F	42.7°F	Details ->
Summer Temperature Average statewide summer temperature across June, July, and August.	73.4°F	64.2°F	Details ->
Winter Temperature Average statewide winter temperature across December, January, and February.	46.2°F	21.2°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	146 days	82 days	Details ->
Annual Precipitation Average annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches.	22.2 in	15.3 in	Details ->

Average Temperature -> Summer Temperature -> Winter Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Annual Precipitation ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$693,700	$376,200	Details ->
Median Gross Rent Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.	$1,856/mo	$974/mo	Details ->
Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Owner Costs Without Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households without a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Homeownership Rate Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied.	55.8%	68.2%	Details ->
Home Value to Income Ratio Median home value divided by median household income.	8.25x	5.95x	Details ->
Rent to Income Ratio Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.	26.5%	18.5%	Details ->
Owner Costs to Income Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income (ACS 2023).	21.0%	17.6%	Details ->

Median Housing Value -> Median Gross Rent -> Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage -> Owner Costs Without Mortgage -> Homeownership Rate -> Home Value to Income Ratio -> Rent to Income Ratio -> Owner Costs to Income ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	13.30%	6.75%	Details ->
State Sales Tax State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).	7.25%	None (0%)	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.70%	0.72%	Details ->

State Income Tax -> State Sales Tax -> Property Tax ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Blue	Solid Red	Details ->
Presidential Voting Margin Signed 2024 presidential margin in percentage points (positive = Democratic, negative = Republican).	Dem +20.10	Rep +19.89	Details ->
Swing State / Battleground Whether the state was part of the core 2024 battleground map.	Not a battleground	Not a battleground	Details ->
Governor Party Current governor's party (NCSL partisan composition, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Republican	Details ->
State House Control Current partisan control of the lower legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Republican	Details ->
State Senate Control Current partisan control of the upper legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Republican	Details ->
Trifecta Whether one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Democratic Trifecta	Republican Trifecta	Details ->

Presidential Voting Margin ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Gun Laws Status Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).	Restrictive	Permissive	Details ->
Alcohol Laws Whether the state uses a control-state or license-state model for distilled-spirit sales (NABCA directory accessed April 6, 2026).	License State	Control State	Details ->
Marijuana Legalization Current statewide marijuana status: Legal, Medical, or Illegal (NCSL state cannabis laws page updated June 27, 2025).	Legal	Legal	Details ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	163,696 sq mi	147,040 sq mi	Details ->
Highest Point Highest natural point in the state, with summit elevation.	Mount Whitney (14,505 ft)	Granite Peak (12,807 ft)	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	September 9, 1850 (#31)	November 8, 1889 (#41)	Details ->
Capital City The official state capital.	Sacramento	Helena	Details ->
Region U.S. Census Bureau geographic region.	West	West	Details ->

Land Area -> Highest Point ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Life Expectancy Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).	79.2 yrs	77.9 yrs	Details ->
Older Adult Health Outcomes Composite score for comparing state health outcomes for older adults, using life expectancy, insurance coverage, and obesity prevalence.	74.7	62.8	Details ->
Uninsured Rate Share of residents without health insurance coverage.	6.4%	8.4%	Details ->
Obesity Rate Adult obesity prevalence.	29.1%	31.0%	Details ->

Life Expectancy -> Older Adult Health Outcomes -> Uninsured Rate -> Obesity Rate ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Violent Crime Rate Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).	499.5	401.3	Details ->
Property Crime Rate Property crime incidents per 100,000 residents.	2387.5	1983.9	Details ->

Violent Crime Rate -> Property Crime Rate ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$84,097	$63,249	Details ->
Regional Price Parity Official price level relative to the national average (100 = U.S. average).	113.4	97.2	Details ->
Purchasing Power of $100 Real local value of $100 after adjusting for BEA Regional Price Parities.	$92.31	$107.15	Details ->
Poverty Rate Share of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023).	12.0%	11.7%	Details ->
Employment/Population Ratio Employed civilian population as a share of the adult population (ACS 2023).	60.2%	60.8%	Details ->
Unemployment Rate Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025).	5.5%	3.4%	Details ->
Job Growth Change in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS).	-0.1%	0.8%	Details ->

Median Income -> Regional Price Parity -> Purchasing Power of $100 -> Poverty Rate -> Employment/Population Ratio -> Unemployment Rate -> Job Growth ->

Metric	CA	MT	Deep dive
Retirement Score Composite score for comparing states for retirement, combining affordability, taxes, housing, health, safety, and winter climate.	47.0	58.9	Details ->

Retirement Score ->

Intent-Oriented

Which state fits your priorities better?

Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.

Saving Money

Montana is cheaper overall

Overall cost-of-living index: 105.2 vs 138.5 in California. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.

See full data

Gas Price

Montana is cheaper at the pump

Average regular gas price: $3.796/gal in Montana vs $5.929/gal in California. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.

See full data

Minimum Wage

California has the higher minimum wage

State minimum wage: $16.90/hr in California vs $10.85/hr in Montana. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.

See full data

Electricity Rates

Montana has cheaper electricity

Average residential electricity rate: 12.86 c/kWh in Montana vs 30.29 c/kWh in California. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.

See full data

Buying a Home

Montana is more attainable for buyers

Home-value-to-income ratio: 5.95x in Montana vs 8.25x in California. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.

See full data

Renting

Montana is easier for renters

Rent-to-income ratio: 18.5% in Montana vs 26.5% in California. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.

See full data

Property Tax

California has lower property taxes

Effective property tax rate: 0.70% in California vs 0.72% in Montana. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.

See full data

State Color

California votes bluer

2024 presidential margin: Dem +20.10 in California vs Rep +19.89 in Montana.

See full data

Gun Laws

California has stricter gun laws

California falls into the restrictive category, while Montana falls into the permissive category on this simplified statewide comparison.

See full data

Alcohol Laws

Montana uses a control-state system

Montana uses a control-state system for liquor sales, while California uses a license-state system.

See full data

Lower Taxes

Montana has lower income taxes

Top state income tax rate: 6.75% in Montana vs 13.30% in California.

See full data

More Space

Montana feels less crowded

Population density: 7.4 per sq mi in Montana vs 241.5 per sq mi in California. Lower density usually means more space and less day-to-day congestion.

See full data

Shorter Commute

Montana has the shorter commute

Average commute: 17.9 min in Montana vs 28.4 min in California.

See full data

Job Opportunities

Montana looks better for job seekers

Unemployment rate: 3.4% in Montana vs 5.5% in California. Montana also leads on job growth.

See full data

Remote Workers

Montana looks better for remote workers

Livability score: 55.21 in Montana vs 50.49 in California. Montana also has the shorter average commute.

See full data

Families

California looks better for families

California wins more family-oriented signals in this matchup, including life expectancy, uninsured rate, bachelor's degree compared with Montana.

See full data

Warmer Climate

California is warmer overall

Average annual temperature: 59.4°F in California vs 42.7°F in Montana.

See full data

More Sunshine

California gets more sun

Sunny days per year: 146 days in California vs 82 days in Montana.

See full data

Detailed Metric Pages

Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.

Population

California has a larger population than Montana by 38,453,998 people.

Population Density

California is more densely populated than Montana.

Bachelor's Degree

California has a higher college-educated share than Montana.

Advanced Degree

California has a higher advanced-degree share than Montana.

California vs Montana - Common Questions

Q Is California cheaper to live in than Montana?

Montana has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Montana scores 105.2 versus 138.5 for California - a gap of 33.3 points.

Q Where does $100 go further - California or Montana?

$100 goes further in Montana. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $107.15 in Montana, compared with $92.31 in California.

Q Which state is bigger - California or Montana?

California is larger, covering 163,696 sq mi compared with 147,040 sq mi for Montana - roughly 1.1x the size.

Q Does California or Montana have more people?

California has the larger population at 39,538,223, compared with 1,084,225 in Montana.

Q Which state has higher household income - California or Montana?

California has the higher median household income at $84,097, versus $63,249 in Montana.

Q Which state has lower income taxes - California or Montana?

Montana has the lower state income tax top rate at 6.75%, compared with 13.30% in California.

Q Is housing cheaper in California or Montana?

Homes are cheaper in Montana, where the median home value is $376,200, versus $693,700 in California.

Q Which state is more densely populated - California or Montana?

California is more densely populated at 241.5 per sq mi people per sq mi. Montana is more spread out at 7.4 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related Comparisons

Alaska vs Montana

Arizona vs Montana

Methodology

All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.

Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.