Montana vs Tennessee Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$77,479
in Montana
$83,241
in Tennessee
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 | Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 94.4 | 82.4 | +15% |
| Groceries | 101.6 | 96.8 | +5% |
| Utilities | 81.5 | 88.1 | -7% |
| Transportation | 99.5 | 88.7 | +12% |
| Healthcare | 106.5 | 86.4 | +23% |
| Dining & Misc | 98.6 | 95.3 | +3% |
| Overall | 96.8 | 90.1 | +7% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Montana.
What things actually cost
| Item | Montana | Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $410,000 | $310,000 | +$100,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,322/mo | $1,154/mo | +$168 |
| Gas price | $3.19/gal | $3.14/gal | +$0.05 |
| Electric bill | $96/mo | $97/mo | $1 |
| Infant childcare | $12,778/yr | $12,249/yr | +$529 |
Salary equivalent: Montana → Tennessee
What a Montana salary buys you in Tennessee, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Montana | Equivalent in Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $46,539 | +$3,461 |
| $75,000 | $69,809 | +$5,191 |
| $100,000 | $93,079 | +$6,921 |
| $150,000 | $139,618 | +$10,382 |
| $200,000 | $186,157 | +$13,843 |
Positive = your money goes further in Tennessee. 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 is 7% more expensive than Tennessee overall. Montana has an index of 96.8 vs 90.1 for Tennessee (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Tennessee?
Tennessee is cheaper to live in. Montana is 7% more expensive overall. The biggest driver is housing — median home prices are $410,000 in Montana vs $310,000 in Tennessee.
Is Tennessee cheaper than Montana?
Yes, Tennessee is 7% cheaper than Montana overall based on the MERIC/C2ER cost-of-living index. Housing, groceries, and utilities all factor into the difference.
Is Montana more expensive than Tennessee?
Yes, Montana is 7% more expensive than Tennessee based on the MERIC/C2ER composite index. Housing is typically the largest factor in the difference.
What salary in Tennessee equals $100,000 in Montana?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Montana, you would need approximately $93,079 in Tennessee. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (96.8 vs 90.1).
How do housing costs compare between Montana and Tennessee?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Tennessee. Median home prices are $410,000 in Montana vs $310,000 in Tennessee — a $100,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,322/mo vs $1,154/mo.
What costs more in Montana vs Tennessee?
Healthcare is 23% higher in Montana (index 106.5 vs 86.4). Housing is 15% higher in Montana (index 94.4 vs 82.4). Transportation is 12% higher in Montana (index 99.5 vs 88.7).
Is gas cheaper in Montana or Tennessee?
Gas averages $3.19/gallon in Montana and $3.14/gallon in Tennessee — a $0.05 difference per gallon.
Montana vs Tennessee cost of living — how do they compare?
Montana has an overall cost-of-living index of 96.8 and Tennessee has 90.1 (national average = 100). Montana is 7% more expensive overall. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Montana and Tennessee?
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. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. It fully repealed its tax on investment income in 2021. Use the Montana vs Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Montana requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Tennessee has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. 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
- Tennessee Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Montana vs Tennessee Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- Montana Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Montana
- Tennessee Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Tennessee
- 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 Tennessee — How much house can you afford?
- Montana Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Tennessee Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Montana Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Tennessee 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.