Population Density Comparison
Demographics

California vs Montana: Population Density

California is more densely populated than Montana.

California flag
California
CA • West
Winner
241.5 per sq mi
Number of residents per square mile.
Montana flag
Montana
MT • West
7.4 per sq mi
Number of residents per square mile.

Visual Comparison

California 241.5 per sq mi
Montana 7.4 per sq mi

Difference: 234.1 per sq mi — California leads.

Related Context

Density in Context

Population density shapes commutes, housing costs, and the feel of daily life.

Metric
California
Montana
Population
39,538,223
1,084,225
Land Area
163,696 sq mi
147,040 sq mi
Median Home Value
$693,700
$376,200
Violent Crime / 100k
499.5
401.3
Cost of Living Index
138.5
105.2

What This Means

California vs Montana: Population Density in context

California has a population density of 241.5 per sq mi, compared with 7.4 per sq mi in Montana — roughly 32.6× the Montana figure. Number of residents per square mile.

California
241.5 per sq mi
Montana
7.4 per sq mi
Difference
234.1 per sq mi

People Also Ask

California vs Montana Population Density — Common Questions

Q What is California's population density?

California's population density is 241.5 per sq mi.

Q What is Montana's population density?

Montana's population density is 7.4 per sq mi.

Q Which state has a higher population density — California or Montana?

California is more densely populated than Montana.

Q How much more population density does California have compared to Montana?

234.1 per sq mi.

More Comparisons: California vs Montana

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Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. 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.