Montana vs Idaho – What’s the difference?

Montana vs Idaho – both of these states sit side-by-side, have strong agriculture industries, small populations, and lie the Rocky Mountains. So, which mountain state is better – Montana or Idaho?

This is an interesting question, so we’ve provided a detailed overview of each state. We list the pros and cons of Montana vs Idaho, compared weather, crime, geography, and population, outline which state is cheaper to live in, and point out the things that you can only find either state.

Whether you’re a traveler, retiree, or relocating for a job, by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which state is for you.

Comparison table (Summary) – Montana vs Idaho
Population & size – Montana vs Idaho
Geography – Montana vs Idaho
Cities & towns – Montana vs Idaho
Ski resorts – Montana vs Idaho
National parks – Montana vs Idaho
Cost of living – Montana vs Idaho
Weather – Montana vs Idaho
Crime – Montana vs Idaho

How is Idaho different from Montana?

Here are summary comparison tables of everything we cover in this article on the pros and cons of Montana vs Idaho.

	Montana	Idaho
Population	1.1 million	1.9 million
Size	147,040 square miles (380,800 km²)	83,570 square miles (216,400 km²)
Crowds	Few	Few
Towns	Overall: Small towns Largest town: pop 117,116 (Billings)	Overall: Small towns (A few more than MT, with slightly larger populations than MT) Largest town: pop 237,400 (Boise)
Vast space	Plenty of prairie, mountains, and wilderness	Plenty of prairie, mountains, and wilderness, though slightly less than MT
Excellent skiing	Many resorts, towering peaks, expansive terrain	Many resorts, spectacular mountains, reliable snowfall
National parks	More national parks	Slightly fewer national parks, each with distinct beauty
Outdoor recreation opportunities (national parks, wildlife refuges, mountain ranges, wilderness areas, etc.)	Montana’s large size and diverse ecosystems make for a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, from the Rocky Mountains to the Missouri Breaks, down to the eastern plains.	Idaho features a vast range of outdoor recreation in the Rocky Mountains, the Snake River Valley, and the peaks and valleys of the north. Due to Idaho’s smaller size, it can be said Idaho has fewer recreational opportunities, but the slight difference isn’t something a resident or visitor would likely notice, as there are plenty of different geographical regions to explore here.
Cost of living	Slightly higher than Idaho, but almost the same	Slightly lower than Montana, but almost the same
Weather	More snow and cloudy days	Less snow and more sunny days
Crime	Violent and property crime rates are twice as high as they are in Idaho	Violent and property crime rates are half what they are in MT

Population and size – Montana vs Idaho

A key aspect of the Montana vs Idaho debate is population and size. What is Idaho vs Montana’s population?

Some people love Montana for its open space and small population. But the buzz of Idaho’s larger cities, such as Boise or Idaho Falls, is a draw for many others.

In short, there’s almost twice the space in Montana with almost half the people:

Population

Montana: 1.1 million
Idaho: 1.9 million

Size

Montana: 147,040 square miles (380,800 km²)
Idaho: 83,570 square miles (216,400 km²)

Depending on your preferences, this could be a win or a loss. But one thing is for sure – there is more space to explore in Montana than in Idaho.

In terms of population to size ratio, Montana wins.

Geography – Montana vs Idaho

A key piece of the Montana vs Idaho debate is each state’s geography.

While Montana is much larger than Idaho, both states are located in the Rocky Mountains and offer pristine rivers, valleys, and a wide range of unspoiled natural areas.

Let’s compare each state’s geography.

montana vs idaho geography — United States Geological Survey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
w:United States Geological Survey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Montana – Geography

Montana features a diverse range of geological features, ecosystems, and wildlife:

Continental Divide. The point that splits the east and western regions of the United States, from which rivers flow either west or east, runs north-south through the Rocky Mountains of western Montana.
100+ mountain ranges. Montana has more than 100 sub-mountain ranges, most of which are in the Rocky Mountains, such as the Cabinet Mountains (which divide Montana from Idaho), the Gallatin Range, and the Absaroka-Beartooth Range where Montana’s highest and most stunning peaks lie.
60% prairie. The eastern part of Montana is part of the northern Great Plains and home to unique flora and fauna, including part of the Badlands.
River valleys. Between each of the 100+ mountain ranges lie alpine lakes and pristine valleys, such as the Big Hole River, Bitterroot Valley, and Paradise Valley, which offer agricultural resources and wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities.
Missouri Breaks. In north-central Montana, the Missouri River flows through a protected area of rolling hills, rock outcroppings, buttes, sparse forests, and wide prairie flats.
Badlands. In the far east of Montana are some of the most picturesque regions of the badlands, including Makoshika State Park and Medicine Rocks State Park
Dinosaur fossils. Many areas in Northeast Montana, such as the Charles M. Russel National Wildlife Refuge, hold major collections of dinosaur fossils.

A unique variety of wildlife flourishes in different regions of Montana, including various protected species, such as the Black-footed Ferret and the Whooping Crane.

Montana is an ideal place for skiers, hikers, birders, and all types of outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Idaho – Geography

Idaho offers both pristine, rugged terrain and the lush flats of the Snake River Plain, where most of its population lives. The state also features some of the largest unspoiled natural areas in the United States:

Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness Area. The biggest contiguous expanse of protected wilderness in the continental United States.
Rocky Mountains. Idaho also contains about as much of the Rocky Mountains as Montana. The Rocky Mountains from southern to northern Idaho feature snow-capped mountain ranges, whitewater rivers, pristine mountain lakes, and deep canyons.
Snake River. The largest tributary of the Columbia River. Flows past lush, forested hills and towering, dramatic mountaintops.
Shoshone Falls. Devastatingly beautiful waterfalls that fall from cliffs higher than Niagara Falls.
Lost River Range. A spectacular and towering mountain range in the central-eastern region of Idaho. Home to Idaho’s tallest peak, Borah Peak (12,662 ft, 3,859 m), and an active glacier.
Salmon-Challis National Forest. In the east-central part of Idaho lies the Salmon-Challis National Forest, one of the largest national forests in the lower 48 states.
Snake River Plain. Much of Idaho’s population lives in the Snake River Plain, a valley running across southern Idaho from east to west. It contains most of Idaho’s major cities, such as Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello.

The difference between Montana vs Idaho geography mainly boils down to personal preference. Montana is known for its dramatic scenery and towering peaks, though Idaho’s lush forested hills and dramatic mountain ranges are equally impressive.

This brings us to the next key piece of the Montana vs Idaho debate – cities and towns.

Montana and Idaho tie for Geography.

Cities and towns of Montana vs Idaho – Which are better?

A big question in the Montana vs Idaho debate is, “How do the cities and towns of each state compare?”

The main difference between Montana and Idaho’s cities is their size. Idaho has a few more cities with slightly larger populations than Montana, such as Boise.

Montana cities

Montana is composed mostly of small towns. Its largest city is Billings, with a population of 117,116 people.

Other notable cities in Montana:

Bozeman. (pop 119,000) A quaint mountain town with a university, a strong student population, and immediate access to some of the most beautiful areas of Montana, such as the Gallatin Valley. A very fast-growing town.
Missoula. (pop 75,000) A university town in western Montana near Lolo Pass. It has a reputation as a relaxed and fun mountain town.
Helena. (pop 33,000) The capital of Montana. A relatively small, but pleasant, town with great access to central Montana’s most beautiful areas, such as the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Canyon Ferry Lake.

Montana has a long list of quaint, pleasant small towns of 10,000 people or less, such as Cut Bank, and Dillon. These towns are one of the most unique experiences you can have in the state.

Discover the best places to live in Montana here.

Idaho cities

Idaho’s cities are pleasant, and a bit bigger than Montana’s cities, but not by much. Many offer a calm, suburban atmosphere.

Idaho’s largest city and capital is Boise, which has a population of 237,400 people – more than twice that of Billings.

Other notable cities in Idaho:

Meridian. (pop 126,000) The second largest city in Idaho and one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Due to a large number of families relocating here, it’s become a pleasant family town with multiple parks, malls, and the Boise River Greenbelt, which features 25 miles of walking and bike paths.
Nampa. (pop 100,200) The third largest city in Idaho. It has a stable job market that makes it attractive for many families considering relocation. It offers recreational activities such as access to the Snake River Valley Scenic Byway and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.
Idaho Falls. (pop 64,400) A pleasant city with a sparse feel featuring many coffee shops and parks. Residents include families and young professionals, and the public schools are above average.

It’s worth noting that northern Idaho offers many quaint mountain towns that get a lot of snowfall each year, making for quintessential, sparkling winter scenery – such as beautiful Wallace, pop 784.

Montana and Idaho tie in this category.

In case you’re considering Idaho and Montana for their skiing, let’s take a quick look at the ski resorts in both states.

Ski resorts – Montana vs Idaho

This is a big question in the Montana vs Idaho debate for many people.

Both Montana and Idaho are in the Rocky Mountains, and both have incredible skiing opportunities – 16 ski resorts in Montana and 18 ski resorts in Idaho.

But Montana has a much bigger reputation as a destination for skiing. Is Montana’s skiing really better than Idaho’s?

The short answer:

Montana’s small population paired with its enormous, towering mountains make it one of the most attractive places in the U.S. for skiing. This is a great argument for Montana in the Montana vs Idaho debate.

However, Idaho is also home to many incredible ski resorts, such as Sun Valley, one of the most expansive and dynamic ski resorts in the U.S., and is known for its enormous annual snowfall in the mountains.

To give some context to this Montana vs Idaho skiing debate, here’s a brief list of ski resorts in each state:

Montana ski resorts

Below is a brief list of some of the best ski resorts in Montana:

Big Sky Ski Resort. Big Sky Resort is some of the biggest skiing in Montana and one of the most popular ski resorts in the state. Its open spaces and variety of skiing terrain are some of its main draws.
Red Lodge Mountain. Red Lodge Mountain is an exciting and fun ski resort in Red Lodge, Montana, one of the most quaint and historic towns in the state. This is one of the funnest resorts in Montana with a range of unique peaks, valleys, and gullies.
Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish Mountain resort is in the northern part of the state near the pleasant town of Whitefish. The ski resort is famous for its snow ghosts (snow-caked trees that look like columns of snow) and offers 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) of uncrowded terrain.
Bridger Bowl. Bridger Bowl offers a range of skiing for all levels, including a dynamic ridgeline popular among extreme skiers. It’s within an hour’s drive from Bozeman.

It’s the open space and towering mountains that make a good argument for the Big Sky state in the Montana vs Idaho debate.

Discover the best ski resorts in Montana here.

Let’s take a look at Idaho’s ski resorts.

Idaho ski resorts

Below is a brief list of some of the best ski resorts in Idaho:

Sun Valley Resort. Some of the best skiing in the U.S. is at Sun Valley Resort and the name is fitting – it receives many sunny days throughout the year. The ski resort offers two mountains, covering all levels of skiing, from beginner to extreme.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Schweitzer is a historic ski resort in Idaho with over 2,900 skiable acres (1,174 hectares) of terrain, and over 25 ft (8 m) of snow each year.
Brundage Mountain. Brundage Mountain is perfectly situated in Idaho to catch many of its snow storms. It receives roughly 26 ft (8 m) of snow each year. The resort enjoys many sunny days, features light and fluffy snow, and offers an expanse of interesting terrain for exploring.
Bogus Basin. Bogus Basin offers 91 runs covering a range of terrain for all skill levels. This is a fun resort about 40 minutes from the capital, Boise, situated in the stunning Boise Ridge Mountains.

It’s hard to say whether Montana or Idaho’s skiing is better.

Montana offers towering peaks and expansive terrain, while Idaho’s resorts offer unique terrain and enormous amounts of snow each year. Idaho’s terrain is also in some of the most incredible ranges of the Rockies.

Montana and Idaho tie in this category.

Now, what about national parks? What kind of national parks does each state feature?

National parks. Which state has more? Which ones are better?

Montana has a couple more national parks than Idaho, though both states offer many beautiful national parks.

Montana’s national parks

Yellowstone National Park. A preserved ecosystem of geysers, boiling rivers, geothermal pools, and a variety of wildlife.
Glacier National Park. A network of towering mountains and glacial-carved valleys. Site of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Nez Perce National Historical Park. Multiple sites of historical and cultural importance to the Nez Perce people, including Lolo Trail.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. A historic ranch site that memorializes the icons of the western United States.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. A national recreation area with a reservoir crawling between towering cliffsides. It includes 120,000 acres of diverse wildlife and has been inhabited by humans for 10,000+ years.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. One of the most important trading posts of this region of Montana that was a bastion of peaceful coexistence for decades throughout the settlement of the western U.S.
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Several sites throughout Montana reveal the effects of glacial flooding that ripped across Montana about 18,000 years ago.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. Several sites along the portion of the Lewis and Clark trail that runs through present-day Montana.
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. 149 miles of the scenic Missouri River flows through rock outcroppings and rolling hills that have remained untouched for centuries.

It’s hard to beat Montana’s national parks. In fact, its range of unique and interesting nationally preserved areas is one of its main draws.

Discover all of Montana’s national parks here.

Idaho’s national parks

Yellowstone National Park. World-renowned national park consisting of geysers, geothermal pools, boiling rivers, and a variety of wildlife.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. A beautiful natural area for hiking and camping that is home to many fascinating geological structures, such as craters from hydrothermal eruptions.
Grand Teton National Park. Spectacular mountain scenery and wildlife in the Teton Range spanning 310,000 acres (125,400 hectares).
City Rocks National Reserve. A 14,512-acre (5,873-hectare) expanse of granite pinnacles, fins, and domes, popular among rock climbers. Markings from emigrants along the California trail are visible on some rocks.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The location of one of the world’s largest fossil deposits dating back to the late-Pliocene epoch (3.5 million years ago).

Montana has more national parks and national historic sites than Idaho, but which is better depends on personal preferences.

Keep in mind:

☝️Yellowstone is bigger than Grand Teton National Park and has more than twice as many roads. Though there is more area to explore in Yellowstone, you can sometimes find yourself driving hours between sites.

☝️If you live in northern Idaho, Glacier National Park isn’t far. Plus you get to enjoy the heavy, snowy winters and lush mountains of northern Idaho.

Overall, Montana wins this category.

What about the cost of living in each state? Let’s take a look.

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Montana?

Generally, the cost of living in Idaho is only 3.7% higher than it is in Montana so, overall, the cost of living in Montana and Idaho is about the same. However, one of the primary cost differences between Montana and Idaho is housing, which is about 14% higher in Idaho.

To fully answer this key question in the Montana vs Idaho debate, let’s break down the living costs of each state and find out if Idaho or Montana is cheaper.

*Note: the information below is based on individual studies that may or may not represent the cost of living in Idaho for everyone. If you move to one of these states, you could experience different cost structures, but the data below can serve as a general frame of reference.

First, here are summary comparison tables of what we cover in this section.