Missouri to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

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
- High humidity
- Frequent tornadoes
- Dense population
- Urban congestion
- Cooler climate
- Fewer natural disasters
- More open space
- Outdoor recreation
- Fewer cultural venues
- Quieter evenings
- Limited cuisine variety
- Smaller job market
- 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
Comparison | Missouri | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis BBQ | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Elk Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Lentil Stew |
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 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
Comparison | Missouri | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to amenities | Scenic 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 Missouriβs $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
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Wildfires, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/68 | 82/50 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/23 | 34/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 15 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 69 |
- 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
Comparison | Missouri | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | Up to 5.4% | Flat 6.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Average | Lower |
Homelessness | Less Prevalent | More 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
Comparison | Missouri | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed urban-rural influence | Rural influence |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse religious communities | Christian 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
Comparison | Missouri | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | McKelvey 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 Schools | Ladue Middle (St. Louis) Wildwood Middle (Wildwood) Crestview Middle (Ellisville) | Sacajawea Middle (Bozeman) Washington Middle (Missoula) East Middle (Great Falls) |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton 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 schools | St. 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Kirkwood 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,996 | 300 ft3 | $6.65 |
1 Bedroom | $2,971 | 450 ft3 | $6.60 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,914 | 750 ft3 | $6.55 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,152 | 1100 ft3 | $6.50 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,323 | 1600 ft3 | $6.45 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,524 | 1800 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.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Montana