Idaho vs Montana Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$245 /yr more take-home in Montana
$20/mo · $9 a paycheck.
Idaho
Montana
$58,471/yr in Idaho vs $58,716/yr in Montana.
Idaho
Take-home per paycheck
$2,248.88
$58,471/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Montana
Take-home per paycheck
$2,258.30
$58,716/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Idaho vs Montana
Sized off $4,873/mo take-home in Idaho and $4,893/mo in Montana. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$56,999 is what Idaho take-home is worth at Montana prices
Against $58,716 actually paid in Montana, leaving Montana $1,717/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$82 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Idaho
$1,404/mo in Idaho, $1,322/mo in Montana.
The average two-bedroom takes 29% of take-home in Idaho and 27% in Montana — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$10,000 more for the median home in Idaho
$420,000 in Idaho, $410,000 in Montana.
The median home is 1.5× what this salary supports in Idaho and 1.4× in Montana. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$129 /mo more left over in Montana
Idaho has $1,059/mo spare; Montana has $1,188/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $702/mo in Idaho and $661/mo in Montana.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Idaho | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.41/gal | $3.19/gal |
| Electricity | $84/mo | $96/mo |
| Infant childcare | $803/mo | $1,065/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 16% of take-home in Idaho and 22% in Montana.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Idaho: Idaho has a flat state income tax of 5.30%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
Montana: Montana uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 4.70% to 5.65%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Idaho take-home | Montana take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,558 | $40,762 | -$203 |
| $75,000 | $58,471 | $58,716 | -$245 |
| $100,000 | $74,733 | $74,891 | -$158 |
| $150,000 | $106,694 | $106,677 | + $17 |
| $200,000 | $139,180 | $138,988 | + $192 |
| $300,000 | $200,130 | $199,588 | + $542 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Idaho. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Idaho or Montana?
At a $100,000 salary, Montana results in $158 more annual take-home pay. Idaho has a flat state income tax of 5.30%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Montana uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 4.70% to 5.65%.
How much more do you take home in Montana vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $203/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $17/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $542/yr.
Do Idaho and Montana have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Montana?
Idaho is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Idaho is 1% lower than in Montana. Idaho's Regional Price Parity is 95.9 and Montana's is 97.2 (US average = 100).
Is Idaho cheaper than Montana?
Yes. Idaho has a lower cost of living than Montana (index 95.9 vs 97.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Montana more expensive than Idaho?
Yes. Montana has a higher cost of living (index 97.2) compared to Idaho (index 95.9). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $74,733 in Idaho has the purchasing power of $73,734 in Montana terms. Conversely, $74,891 in Montana equals $75,906 in Idaho terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Montana comes out ahead.
Idaho vs Montana cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 1% different between Idaho and Montana. Living costs are about 4% below the national average Living costs are about 3% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Montana gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Idaho and Montana?
Idaho requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Montana 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. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Idaho vs Montana Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Idaho Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Montana Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Idaho?
- How much house can you afford in Montana?
- Idaho Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Montana Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Idaho Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Montana Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Idaho Paycheck Estimator · Montana Paycheck Estimator · All states