Montana vs Pennsylvania Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$77,479
in Montana
$77,240
in Pennsylvania
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Montana | Pennsylvania | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 94.4 | 86.8 | +9% |
| Groceries | 101.6 | 98.5 | +3% |
| Utilities | 81.5 | 108.7 | -25% |
| Transportation | 99.5 | 104.0 | -4% |
| Healthcare | 106.5 | 93.7 | +14% |
| Dining & Misc | 98.6 | 101.2 | -3% |
| Overall | 96.8 | 97.1 | 0% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Montana.
What things actually cost
| Item | Montana | Pennsylvania | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $410,000 | $270,000 | +$140,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,322/mo | $1,215/mo | +$107 |
| Gas price | $3.19/gal | $3.64/gal | $0.45 |
| Electric bill | $96/mo | $111/mo | $15 |
| Infant childcare | $12,778/yr | $13,354/yr | $576 |
Salary equivalent: Montana → Pennsylvania
What a Montana salary buys you in Pennsylvania, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Montana | Equivalent in Pennsylvania | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,155 | $-155 |
| $75,000 | $75,232 | $-232 |
| $100,000 | $100,310 | $-310 |
| $150,000 | $150,465 | $-465 |
| $200,000 | $200,620 | $-620 |
Positive = your money goes further in Pennsylvania. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Montana and Pennsylvania have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 96.8 and 97.1 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Pennsylvania?
Montana and Pennsylvania have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Montana cheaper than Pennsylvania?
Montana and Pennsylvania cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Pennsylvania more expensive than Montana?
Montana and Pennsylvania have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Pennsylvania equals $100,000 in Montana?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Montana, you would need approximately $100,310 in Pennsylvania. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (96.8 vs 97.1).
How do housing costs compare between Montana and Pennsylvania?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Pennsylvania. Median home prices are $410,000 in Montana vs $270,000 in Pennsylvania — a $140,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,322/mo vs $1,215/mo.
What costs more in Montana vs Pennsylvania?
Utilities is 25% lower in Montana (index 81.5 vs 108.7). Healthcare is 14% higher in Montana (index 106.5 vs 93.7). Housing is 9% higher in Montana (index 94.4 vs 86.8).
Is gas cheaper in Montana or Pennsylvania?
Gas averages $3.19/gallon in Montana and $3.64/gallon in Pennsylvania — a $0.45 difference per gallon.
Montana vs Pennsylvania cost of living — how do they compare?
Montana has an overall cost-of-living index of 96.8 and Pennsylvania has 97.1 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Montana and Pennsylvania?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Montana has a progressive income tax with rates of 4.70% and 5.65% for 2026, and no state sales tax. Pennsylvania has a flat income tax rate of 3.07%, one of the lowest in the nation. Use the Montana vs Pennsylvania paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Montana and Pennsylvania?
Montana requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Pennsylvania requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Montana Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Pennsylvania Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Montana vs Pennsylvania Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- Montana Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Montana
- Pennsylvania Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Pennsylvania
- Salary After Tax by State — Take-home rankings across all 50 states
- House Affordability in Montana — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Pennsylvania — How much house can you afford?
- Montana Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Pennsylvania Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Montana Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pennsylvania Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.