AreaScoop
Montana

Montana

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 29
Population1,105,072
Foreign Born1.0%
Population Density8people per mi²
Median Age40.2 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2000, this state's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

101/100

1% above national average

A
Affordability Ratio

72%

The Real Cost of Living in Montana

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $16k$31k
Comfortable $66k$97k
Luxury $126k+$196k+
Elite (Top 5%) $153k+$237k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
B
Good

Solid upper-middle-class performance. The area runs slightly ahead of national economic benchmarks.

Median HHI
$70k+5.4%
7% below US avg
Avg Net Worth
$634k
3% below US avg
WFH
11.6%
19% below US avg
Homeownership
69.4%
6% above US avg
Median Home
$338k
20% above US avg
Avg HH Debt
$21k
15% above US avg
Poverty Rate
12.0%
4% above US avg
Public Assistance
9.3%
21% below US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Equal to US avg
Median Rent
$1k
11% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B-
Safe

Generally safer than 57% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
18.5
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−21.7%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−14.2%
Homicide
0.03 / 1k Residents51% below US avg
Robbery
0.18 / 1k Residents72% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
3.25 / 1k Residents21% above US avg

Property Crime

5yr−29.3%
Burglary
1.30 / 1k Residents52% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
11.66 / 1k Residents17% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.34 / 1k Residents52% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+10Leans Conservative
State Legislature of Montana
Montana Senate18D · 32R
Montana House42D · 58R
Presidential Voting Trends for Montana
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
A-
High Autonomy

Strong independent fundamentals that actively favor personal liberty and low regulation.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C-
Weak10.5% of income
Property Rights
C-
FairIJ Grade C-
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Net exporter (120% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season118 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall24.4"statewide average
Elevation5,414 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
A+
Fortress

Deep buffer from population centers and strategic targets. Low natural disaster risk and minimal exposure to border or coastal threats.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Montana

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-18T23:38:15.000Z

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