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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Idaho VS COUNTRY B Montana

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Idaho and Montana in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated October 2026 Income tax verified October 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
Idaho has a flat 5.3% income tax, while Montana charges progressive rates from 4.7% to 5.65%. Idaho is cheaper on income tax at every income in the table below — paying $4,185 vs Montana's $4,289 at $100K, saving $104/year (and $454/year at $200K); Montana is lower only in a narrow band around $60K-$70K, by up to about $23. The bigger difference: Idaho has 6.03% sales tax while Montana has no general sales tax (0%; a few resort towns levy a local resort tax). Property taxes favor Idaho (0.50% vs MT's 0.61%). Overall, Montana's no-sales-tax advantage dominates for most households.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.

🥔
COUNTRY A
Idaho
TAX RATE
5.3%
Flat Rate

Flat 5.3% above a small zero-rate bracket

🏔️
COUNTRY B
Montana
TAX RATE
4.7-5.65%
Progressive (2 brackets)

4.7% on first $47,500; 5.65% above; no sales tax

TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Montana → Idaho at $100,000
$104 (ID saves $104 at $100K income)

That's $9/month income only back in your pocket

Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.

GROSS INCOME
🥔 ID TAX
🏔️ MT TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$1,535
$1,593
$58 (ID saves)
$580
$100,000
$4,185
$4,289
$104 (ID saves)
$1,040
$200,000
$9,485
$9,939
$454 (ID saves)
$4,540
$500,000
$25,385
$26,889
$1,504 (ID saves)
$15,040
💡

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🥔

Idaho Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower property tax: 0.50% (vs MT 0.61%) saves $275-$1,100/year
  • Boise boom: fast-growing metro, tech hub (Micron, HP, Albertsons)
  • Cheaper housing: Boise median $485k (vs Bozeman $725k, 33% cheaper)
  • Milder climate: Boise winters are milder than Bozeman's
  • More jobs: Boise metro (over 800K people) vs Bozeman (roughly 130K) and Missoula (roughly 130K) metros
− CONS
  • Sales tax: 6.03% (vs MT 0%) costs $603/year on $10k spending
  • Sales tax outweighs the income-tax edge: at $100K Idaho pays $4,185 vs Montana $4,289 ($104 less), but ID's 6.03% sales tax (vs MT 0%) costs more
  • Population boom: Housing crisis, traffic, locals priced out
  • Limited outdoor access: Not as dramatic as MT mountains/Glacier
  • Hot summers: 100°F+ regularly (vs MT milder)
🏔️

Montana Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • No sales tax: $0 (vs ID 6.03%) saves $603/year on $10k spending
  • No sales tax outweighs ID's $104 income-tax edge at $100K (MT $4,289 vs ID $4,185)
  • Dramatic scenery: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, mountain ranges
  • University towns: Missoula/Bozeman have arts, culture, innovation
  • Outdoor paradise: World-class skiing, hiking, fishing
− CONS
  • Higher property tax: 0.61% (vs ID 0.50%) costs $275-$1,100 more/year
  • Expensive housing: Bozeman median $725k (vs Boise $485k, 33% more)
  • Harsh winters: heavy snow and deep cold (Boise winters are milder)
  • Limited jobs: Smaller metros (Bozeman roughly 130K, Missoula roughly 130K vs Boise over 800K)
  • Population boom: Housing crisis worse than ID, locals priced out
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Taxes are nearly identical—what's the real difference?

Sales tax vs no sales tax is the biggest difference. Montana has 0% sales tax (saves $603/year per $10k of taxable spending). Idaho has 6.03%. On income tax the two are close: at $100K, ID pays $4,185 vs MT $4,289 — ID is $104 lower. Idaho has lower property tax (0.50% vs MT 0.61%): on a $500k home, ID pays $2,500/year vs MT $3,050/year — $550/year savings. Net advantage for typical households: Montana, primarily from sales tax.

Boise vs Bozeman: which city is better for growth?

Boise wins for jobs and affordability: Boise metro over 800K (vs Bozeman roughly 130K), diverse economy (tech, manufacturing, healthcare), housing 33% cheaper ($485k vs $725k), milder winters. Bozeman wins for: university town culture (Montana State), outdoor recreation (Yellowstone, skiing), natural beauty, no sales tax. Both see explosive growth from CA/WA refugees. Choose Boise for career. Choose Bozeman for lifestyle.

Is there significant Idaho-Montana migration?

Yes, in both directions. Migration drivers ID → MT: no sales tax, university towns, outdoor recreation, Bozeman tech boom. Migration drivers MT → ID: cheaper housing (Boise is cheaper than Bozeman), more jobs (Boise boom), milder weather. Both states have drawn many new residents from California and Washington in recent years.

Which state is better for retirees?

Income tax is slightly lower in Idaho at $75K income: ID pays $2,860 vs MT $2,877 — a $17 difference. Montana also has 0% sales tax vs ID 6.03% (saves $603/year on $10k spending). ID wins for: milder winters (Boise is milder than Bozeman), more healthcare options (larger metro), cheaper housing (33% cheaper). Choose based on climate tolerance — Boise winters are far milder.
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