Montana vs North Dakota Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$2,673 /yr more take-home in North Dakota
$223/mo · $103 a paycheck.
Montana
North Dakota
$58,716/yr in Montana vs $61,389/yr in North Dakota.
Montana
Take-home per paycheck
$2,258.30
$58,716/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
North Dakota
Take-home per paycheck
$2,361.12
$61,389/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Montana vs North Dakota
Sized off $4,893/mo take-home in Montana and $5,116/mo in North Dakota. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$55,258 is what Montana take-home is worth at North Dakota prices
Against $61,389 actually paid in North Dakota, leaving North Dakota $6,131/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$262 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Montana
$1,322/mo in Montana, $1,060/mo in North Dakota.
The average two-bedroom takes 27% of take-home in Montana and 21% in North Dakota — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$155,000 more for the median home in Montana
$410,000 in Montana, $255,000 in North Dakota.
This salary covers the median home in North Dakota; the Montana median is 1.4× what it supports. 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
$486 /mo more left over in North Dakota
Montana has $1,188/mo spare; North Dakota has $1,674/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $661/mo in Montana and $530/mo in North Dakota.
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 | Montana | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.19/gal | $3.08/gal |
| Electricity | $96/mo | $70/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,065/mo | $1,031/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 22% of take-home in Montana and 20% in North Dakota.
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
Montana: Montana uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 4.70% to 5.65%.
North Dakota: North Dakota uses a progressive income tax with 3 brackets ranging from 0.00% to 2.50%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Montana take-home | North Dakota take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,762 | $42,355 | -$1,593 |
| $75,000 | $58,716 | $61,389 | -$2,673 |
| $100,000 | $74,891 | $78,489 | -$3,598 |
| $150,000 | $106,677 | $112,125 | -$5,448 |
| $200,000 | $138,988 | $146,286 | -$7,298 |
| $300,000 | $199,588 | $210,371 | -$10,783 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Montana. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Montana or North Dakota?
At a $100,000 salary, North Dakota results in $3,598 more annual take-home pay. Montana uses a progressive income tax with 2 brackets ranging from 4.70% to 5.65%. North Dakota uses a progressive income tax with 3 brackets ranging from 0.00% to 2.50%.
How much more do you take home in North Dakota vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $1,593/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $5,448/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $10,783/yr.
Do Montana and North Dakota 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 Montana or North Dakota?
North Dakota is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Montana is 6% higher than in North Dakota. Montana's Regional Price Parity is 97.2 and North Dakota's is 91.6 (US average = 100).
Is North Dakota cheaper than Montana?
Yes. North Dakota has a lower cost of living than Montana (index 91.6 vs 97.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Montana more expensive than North Dakota?
Yes. Montana has a higher cost of living (index 97.2) compared to North Dakota (index 91.6). 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 $74,891 in Montana has the purchasing power of $79,469 in North Dakota terms. Conversely, $78,489 in North Dakota equals $73,967 in Montana terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Montana comes out ahead.
Montana vs North Dakota cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 6% different between Montana and North Dakota. Living costs are about 3% below the national average Living costs are 8% 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 Montana and North Dakota?
Montana requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. North Dakota 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
- Montana vs North Dakota Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Montana Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- North Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Montana?
- How much house can you afford in North Dakota?
- Montana Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- North Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Montana Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- North Dakota 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
Montana Paycheck Estimator · North Dakota Paycheck Estimator · All states