Movers

Texas to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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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

ConsTexas iconTexas
  • Extremely hot summers
  • Heavy traffic
  • Hurricane threats
  • Urban sprawl
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cooler summer temperatures
  • Less congestion
  • Lower disaster risk
  • Scenic landscapes

Montana iconMontana
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer entertainment options
  • Limited food variety
Texas iconTexas
  • 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

ComparisonTexasMontana
Most iconic local food itemBBQ BrisketElk Meat
Most popular meat dishTex-Mex FajitasBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemTacosHuckleberry Hand Pies
Most popular vegan foodTex-Mex Quinoa SaladWild Mushroom Stroganoff
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Franklin Barbecue
  • The Montrose Room
  • Home Slice Pizza
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 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 Überbrew.

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

ComparisonTexasMontana
Typical Architecture StyleRanchMountain Rustic
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 backyards, swimming poolsMountain 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 Texas’s $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

ComparisonTexasMontana
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesWildfires, Snowstorms
Air QualityVariableGenerally Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)94Β°F / 72Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F / 38Β°F35Β°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

ComparisonTexasMontana
Avg. Household Income$72,284$67,631
Cost of Living Index91.199.4
State Income Tax0%6.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.81%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax8.19%0%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Technology, AgricultureHealthcare, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceDiverseGrowing
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessSignificantMinimal
  • 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

ComparisonTexasMontana
Political Make-upLean Conservative/RepublicanConservative/Republican
Local PoliticsMixed, with urban areas leaning DemocraticMostly Conservative, with some liberal locales
ReligionChristian 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

ComparisonTexasMontana
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 SchoolsCreekside 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 SchoolsWest 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 SchoolsLiberal 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 schoolsSt. 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsEanes 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,015300 ft3$6.72
1 Bedroom$3,000450 ft3$6.67
2 Bedrooms$4,962750 ft3$6.62
3 Bedrooms$7,2231100 ft3$6.57
4 Bedrooms$10,4261600 ft3$6.52
5+ Bedrooms$11,6391800 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.

TOP PICK
Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery featured image

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery

Best moving company overall for Texas to Montana

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC featured image

New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
King Moving Company featured image

King Moving Company

9.53/10
ExceptionalView details

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