Salary Guide · 2026
Montana Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Montana, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Montana Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$39,900
-29% vs US median
Household median income
$68,933
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$31,892
Eff. rate: 20.07%
Median monthly take-home
$2,658
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Montana
Tax system: Flat state income tax (5.9%)
Montana has a 5.9% flat income tax. With growing remote work adoption and excellent outdoor lifestyle, Bozeman and Missoula have seen rising population and housing costs, though still below coastal norms.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · MT state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,894 | $2,955 | $3,825 | $39,326 | $3,277 | 21.35% |
| $75,000 | $7,854 | $4,642 | $5,738 | $56,766 | $4,731 | 24.31% |
| $105,000 | $14,454 | $6,667 | $8,033 | $75,846 | $6,321 | 27.77% |
| $150,000 | $24,914 | $9,705 | $11,475 | $103,906 | $8,659 | 30.73% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Montana Cities
Based on $105,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Billings
COL: 0.93× · 1BR rent: $1,100/mo
Rent burden: 17.4% of take-home
Is $105,000 enough in Billings? →Missoula
COL: 0.98× · 1BR rent: $1,200/mo
Rent burden: 19.0% of take-home
Is $105,000 enough in Missoula? →Great Falls
COL: 0.85× · 1BR rent: $950/mo
Rent burden: 15.0% of take-home
Is $105,000 enough in Great Falls? →Bozeman
COL: 1.18× · 1BR rent: $1,600/mo
Rent burden: 25.3% of take-home
Is $105,000 enough in Bozeman? →Helena
COL: 0.91× · 1BR rent: $1,050/mo
Rent burden: 16.6% of take-home
Is $105,000 enough in Helena? →Popular Salary Guides for Montana
Is This Salary Enough in Montana?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Montana?
A $100,000 salary in Montana yields approximately $72,666 per year ($6,056/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Montana cities, this is above the state individual median of $39,900 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Montana?
Montana has Flat state income tax (5.9%). For a $75,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $4,642. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Montana?
The individual median income in Montana is $39,900 and the household median is $68,933 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $46,185–$137,866 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.