Movers

Missouri to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 1,399 mile interstate move from Missouri to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler climate), food & health (like St. Louis BBQ vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis BBQ and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
  • Montana housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Montana is 5.59% more expensive than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Montana movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Montana

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • High humidity
  • Frequent tornadoes
  • Dense population
  • Urban congestion
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cooler climate
  • Fewer natural disasters
  • More open space
  • Outdoor recreation

Montana iconMontana
  • Fewer cultural venues
  • Quieter evenings
  • Limited cuisine variety
  • Smaller job market
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Rich in museums
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Diverse restaurants
  • Varied job market

Pros of moving from Missouri to Montana

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a cooler climate
  • Look forward to moving away from frequent tornadoes and moving to Montana with fewer natural disasters
  • Swap the dense population of Missouri for more open space in Montana
  • Get ready for outdoor recreation in Montana

Cons of moving from Missouri to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from being rich in museums in Missouri to live with fewer cultural venues in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of quieter evenings
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse restaurants and get used to a limited cuisine variety in Montana
  • Swap a varied job market for a smaller job market

Missouri vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriMontana
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis BBQHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketBison Steak
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliElk Burgers
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ciao Mambo
  • Buck's T-4 Lodge
  • Wild Crumb Bakery
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Missouri to Montana, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Garozzo's Ristorante, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Ciao Mambo, Buck's T-4 Lodge, and Wild Crumb Bakery.

When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Montana, compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Montana.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Montana

ComparisonMissouriMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchCraftsman, Cabin
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, proximity to amenitiesScenic views, access to outdoor activities
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Cabin architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to amenities, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and access to outdoor activities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Missouri.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Montana housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Missouri with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Missouri’s $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased 71% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Montana is 5.59% more expensive than in Missouri.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Montana

ComparisonMissouriMontana
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88/6882/50
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41/2334/13
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4215
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1869
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to Montana. Montana gets 8% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and avalanches in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 6 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Montana

ComparisonMissouriMontana
Avg. Household Income$64,811$67,631
Cost of Living Index91.899.4
State Income TaxUp to 5.4%Flat 6.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.84%
Avg. Sales Tax8.25%0%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Retail, ManufacturingAgriculture, Tourism, Mining
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyAverageLower
HomelessnessLess PrevalentMore Prevalent
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 4% more than those in Missouri
  • The COLI in Montana is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • The state income tax in MT is a flat 6.75% compared to up to 5.4% in MO
  • The affluence in Montana is varied compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
  • The poverty level is lower in Montana compared to the average poverty level in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is less prevalent in Missouri and more prevalent in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Montana

ComparisonMissouriMontana
Political Make-upModerately ConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsMixed urban-rural influenceRural influence
ReligionChristian majority, diverse religious communitiesChristian majority, with significant unaffiliated population
  • Missouri tends to lean moderately Conservative in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a significant unaffiliated population
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Montana

ComparisonMissouriMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMcKelvey Elementary (Maryland Heights)
Mason Ridge Elementary (Town and Country)
Stanton Elementary (Fenton)
Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Chief Joseph Elementary (Great Falls)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle (St. Louis)
Wildwood Middle (Wildwood)
Crestview Middle (Ellisville)
Sacajawea Middle (Bozeman)
Washington Middle (Missoula)
East Middle (Great Falls)
Top 3 High SchoolsClayton High (Clayton)
Ladue Horton Watkins High (St. Louis)
Parkway West High (Ballwin)
Bozeman High (Bozeman)
Hellgate High (Missoula)
Sentinel High (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsSt. Louis Priory School (St. Louis)
John Burroughs School (St. Louis)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Valley Christian School (Missoula)
Billings Central Catholic High (Billings)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis)
Christian Fellowship School (Columbia)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Heritage Christian School (Bozeman)
Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell)
Top 3 School DistrictsKirkwood School District
Clayton School District
Ladue School District
Bozeman Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools

How Much Do Missouri to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,399 miles from Missouri 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,996300 ft3$6.65
1 Bedroom$2,971450 ft3$6.60
2 Bedrooms$4,914750 ft3$6.55
3 Bedrooms$7,1521100 ft3$6.50
4 Bedrooms$10,3231600 ft3$6.45
5+ Bedrooms$11,5241800 ft3$6.40

Top Missouri to Montana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Montana

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Action Moving featured image

Action Moving

9.31/10
ExceptionalView details

Kansas City to Montana

St. Louis to Montana

Springfield to Montana