Income in Montana: What the Numbers Show (2021 Data)

Per capita personal income (BEA, 2021): $61,754 — 25th nationally (DC included). But averages mask wide variation.

Top-Paying Industries (2021 Avg. Annual Wage)

1. Mining, quarrying, oil/gas extraction: ~$112,000
2. Professional, scientific, technical services: ~$88,000
3. Finance & insurance: ~$85,000
4. Real estate/rental/leasing: ~$78,000
5. Health care & social assistance: ~$68,000

Context

• Median household income (2022 ACS): $63,249 (vs. US $74,755).
• Poverty rate: 12.1% (US 11.5%).
• Cost of living: ~6% below national average (housing cheaper, healthcare higher).
• No state sales tax (but property taxes ~0.83%).

Geographic Disparity

• Gallatin County (Bozeman): $85k+ pcpi (tech, tourism, MSU).
• Reservation counties (Big Horn, Glacier, Roosevelt): $30k–$40k pcpi.
• Eastern plains (ag-dependent): volatile with commodity cycles.

Trends

Remote-work influx (2020–2023) boosted high-income migration. Housing costs surged 40%+. Wage growth in services lags. Next BEA release (Sept 2024) will show if 2022–23 narrowed the national gap.