Texas to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,433 mile interstate move from Texas to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extremely hot summers vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Elk Meat), real estate & housing (ranch vs mountain rustic), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Tex-Mex Fajitas, but get your taste buds ready for Elk Meat & Bison Burgers
- Montana housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Montana is 16.75% more affordable than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Texas to Montana movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Montana
- Extremely hot summers
- Heavy traffic
- Hurricane threats
- Urban sprawl
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Less congestion
- Lower disaster risk
- Scenic landscapes
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Fewer entertainment options
- Limited food variety
- Mild winters
- Diverse economy
- Rich cultural scene
- Tex-Mex cuisine
Pros of moving from Texas to Montana
- Say goodbye to extremely hot summers and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Montana with less congestion
- Swap the hurricane threats of Texas for a lower disaster risk in Montana
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in Montana
Cons of moving from Texas to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Texas to live with harsh winters in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse economy and have to settle with the con of a limited job market
- Time to bid farewell to a rich cultural scene and get used to fewer entertainment options in Montana
- Swap Tex-Mex cuisine for limited food variety
Texas vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Elk Meat |
Most popular meat dish | Tex-Mex Fajitas | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Huckleberry Hand Pies |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | Wild Mushroom Stroganoff |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Texas to Montana, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Elk Meat of Montana. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Tex-Mex Fajitas and sumptuous Tacos, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Huckleberry Hand Pies to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Mushroom Stroganoff of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, The Montrose Room, and Home Slice Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like KettleHouse Brewery, Ciao Mambo, and Γberbrew.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Montana
Comparison | Texas | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Mountain Rustic |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, swimming pools | Mountain views, private land |
- The Ranch architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Rustic architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and swimming pools, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and private land.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Texas.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Texas.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Texas.
- Montana housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in Montana is 16.75% more affordable than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and Montana
Comparison | Texas | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Wildfires, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Variable | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 35Β°F / 15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 15" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 90" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Texas to Montana. Montana gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Texas.
- Montana has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and snowstorms in Montana.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 9 degrees colder than Texas.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Montana
Comparison | Texas | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 6.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.81% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Technology, Agriculture | Healthcare, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Diverse | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Significant | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 6% less than in Texas
- The COLI in Montana will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... By moving from TX to MT, you'll now have a state income tax of 6.9%
- The affluence in Montana is growing compared to the diverse affluence in Texas
- The poverty level is low in Montana compared to moderate poverty in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Texas and minimal in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Montana
Comparison | Texas | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative/Republican | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Mixed, with urban areas leaning Democratic | Mostly Conservative, with some liberal locales |
Religion | Christian Majority (Evangelical Protestant) | Christian Majority (Catholic and Evangelical Protestant) |
- Texas tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Montana's religious environment can be described as Christian Majority (Catholic and Evangelical Protestant)
- Texas's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian Majority (Evangelical Protestant)
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Montana
Comparison | Texas | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas Austin Texas A&M University College Station University of Houston Houston | Montana State University Bozeman The University of Montana Missoula Montana Tech Butte |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Creekside Forest Elementary The Woodlands William L. Cabell Elementary Dallas Canyon Creek Elementary Austin | Bozeman Summit School Bozeman Hawthorne Elementary Bozeman Chief Joseph Elementary Great Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Ridge Middle School Austin Renner Middle School Plano Coppell Middle School East Coppell | Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman Washington Middle School Missoula Lewis and Clark Middle School Billings |
Top 3 High Schools | Liberal Arts and Science Academy Austin School for the Talented and Gifted Dallas Westlake High School Austin | Bozeman High School Bozeman Billings Central Catholic High School Billings Helena High School Helena |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas The Hockaday School Dallas Greenhill School Addison | Missoula Loyola Sacred Heart High School Missoula Billings Central Catholic High School Billings Great Falls Central Catholic High School Great Falls |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Village School Houston The Awty International School Houston Trinity Valley School Fort Worth | Petra Academy Bozeman Valley Christian School Missoula Montana City School Montana City |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Austin Carroll Independent School District Southlake Coppell Independent School District Coppell | Bozeman School District Bozeman Missoula County Public Schools Missoula Billing Public Schools Billings |
How Much Do Texas to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,433 miles from Texas 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: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,015 | 300 ft3 | $6.72 |
1 Bedroom | $3,000 | 450 ft3 | $6.67 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,962 | 750 ft3 | $6.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,223 | 1100 ft3 | $6.57 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,426 | 1600 ft3 | $6.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,639 | 1800 ft3 | $6.47 |
Top Texas to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to Montana