Montana Living Costs Are Rising—Here Is What You Need To Know

Montana Residents Feeling The Pinch Of Rising Costs

If you've been thinking that EVERYTHING is getting more expensive, you're not wrong.

While it's true that costs have generally increased, there is one area where you might actually be saving money in Montana.

Property Taxes Continue To Climb In Montana

The most significant increase in your monthly budget is property taxes, an issue that officials in Helena have been actively working to address.

I wasn't able to find exact 2024–2025 numbers, but from 2023–2024, the median residential property tax increased by 21%. While it might not be as big of a percentage increase this year, we all know it went up again.

This has been one of the biggest complaints about the rising cost of living here in Montana, but it's not the only cost that's been sucking up your money over the past year.

Rising Housing Costs Across The Treasure State

With increases in property taxes also come increases in housing costs; as of August 2025, the median home price was $534,700, which is a 2.4% increase from last year to this year, according to Redfin.

Not only are home prices higher, but energy costs have also increased compared to last year.

Energy Bills Jump Year Over Year

Energy costs rose from 12.67 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024 to 14.85. That equals a 17.20% increase year over year.

Montana Groceries See Another Big Increase

Another big cost to your budget are the cost of groceries. We've already highlighted the fact that Montana spends the biggest percentage of our income on groceries, but we've also seen one of the biggest jumps of cost in America.

Groceries have gone up 6.4% here in Montana as of July 2025 compared to July 2024.

Remember when I told you there was one thing that was actually costing you less this year than last?

A Small Relief: Lower Gas Prices

Well, that would be the cost of gas in your car.

The cost of gas was approximately $3.16 to $3.24 per gallon around August and September, which is lower than the $3.50 per gallon a year prior.

The Montana Budget Crunch

While it's nice gas is cheaper, and we did get a $400 property tax rebate, I fear many Montana residents will find themselves priced out of The Last Best Place sooner rather than later.