What it costs to live and work in Montana: the minimum wage, state income tax, sales tax and median rent, from official sources, and what they mean for your monthly budget.
| Montana | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $10.85 an hour | US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026) |
| State income tax | 4.7 % to 5.65 % | Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 |
| State sales tax | none | Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026) |
| Median gross rent | $1,177 a month (2024) | US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent |
Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 an hour in 2026 for businesses with more than $110,000 in yearly sales (smaller businesses not covered by federal law may pay $4.00).
Montana has two rates in 2026: 4.7 %, and 5.65 % on taxable income above $47,500 for single filers.
Montana has no general sales tax, state or local.
What income does rent in Montana take?
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at or below 30 % of gross income. At the median rent of $1,177 a month, that means a household income of about $47,100 a year before tax.
Good to know
- Montana has no general sales tax.
Sources
- US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026) (2026-07-01)
- Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (2026-02-19)
- Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026) (2026-07-06)
- US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent (2025-09)