Arizona to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,220 mile interstate move from Arizona to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Chimichanga vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs rustic, log cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
- Montana housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Montana is 26.36% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Montana movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Elk Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Lentil Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to Montana, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burgers of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durantβs. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Ranch at Rock Creek, 2nd Street Bistro, and Buck's T-4.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Montana
Comparison | Arizona | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Rustic, Log Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Air Conditioning | Mountain Views, Privacy |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Log Cabin architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and air conditioning, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Montana housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Montana is 26.36% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Montana
Comparison | Arizona | Montana |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Heatwaves, Dust Storms | Snowstorms, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/75Β°F | 85Β°F/50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F/46Β°F | 35Β°F/17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 15-30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0-0.3 | 90 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Montana. Montana gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Montana has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible heatwaves and dust storms in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and wildfires in Montana.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 19 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 29 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Montana. Montana receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Montana
Comparison | Arizona | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 2.59 - 4.5 | 1 - 6.9 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62 | 0.84 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.4 | 0 |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Aerospace, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Average |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 9% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Montana will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in MT is 1 - 6.9 compared to 2.59 - 4.5 in AZ
- The affluence in Montana is modest compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is average in Montana compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Arizona and lower in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Montana
Comparison | Arizona | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leaning conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Diverse urban vs. rural divide | Dominantly rural conservative values |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, with a smaller diverse religious presence |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed, leaning conservative in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Montana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a smaller diverse religious presence
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Montana
Comparison | Arizona | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University | University of Montana Montana State University Montana Tech |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Chandler (Chandler) | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) Morning Star Elementary (Bozeman) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis North (Phoenix) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) Helena Middle School (Helena) East Middle School (Great Falls) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) | Missoula International School (Missoula) Carroll College (Helena) Montana Academy (Marion) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Valley Christian School (Missoula) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified District Chandler Unified District Gilbert Public Schools | Bozeman High School District Missoula County Public Schools Helena Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,220 miles from Arizona to Montana will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3.5-11 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,894 | 300 ft3 | $6.31 |
1 Bedroom | $2,819 | 450 ft3 | $6.26 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,660 | 750 ft3 | $6.21 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,780 | 1100 ft3 | $6.16 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,782 | 1600 ft3 | $6.11 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,915 | 1800 ft3 | $6.06 |
Top Arizona to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Montana