Montana’s Cost Of Living Makes Stay-at-Home Parenting Tough
It is no secret that the cost of living over the past several years has skyrocketed. The days of working an average wage job and comfortably supporting a family are long gone for many Americans. Recently, a new study put real numbers to a question a lot of parents quietly ask themselves. Is it even possible anymore for one parent to stay home full-time?
The study highlighted just how challenging that idea has become. The study looked at what a single working parent would need to earn to support a household with a nonworking partner and with kids. It focused on essentials like housing, groceries, health care, and transportation, not extras like vacations or dining out. The conclusion was simple. Where you live makes a huge difference.
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Some states topped the list with big numbers. Hawaii ranked as the most expensive place. In Hawaii, for a four-person family in 2025, you’d need to make $294,361.60 a year to make it work. States like California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington were not far behind, all requiring incomes well into the six figures.
How Much Do You Need To Make In Montana To Have One Parent Stay At Home?
Right in the middle, but still not exactly great. Montana ranked 27th for a single adult, with a required income of about $92,800 per year. For larger families, the numbers jump fast. A household with two adults and two children would need an estimated income of nearly $235,000 a year, placing Montana 21st nationwide.
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These figures help explain why so many families feel stretched thin. Do you feel like this is accurate? Let us know HERE.
Top 10 Richest Neighborhoods In Montana
As Montana continues to grow in population, the real estate prices continue to rise. While some parts of the state might still be a bargain, much of Montana is overpriced compared to what many locals can afford. Now, Money Inc. has come out with the richest neighborhoods in Montana, and we have the Top 10 below.
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Montana's 6 Most Beautiful Places
Living in Big Sky Country has its perks. From breathtaking scenery to world-class skiing and fly fishing, Montana has a lot to offer. Not only are we home to hundreds of lakes and rivers, but we also claim two of the most famous National Parks in the country. Although it should be noted that we didn't include any spots in Yellowstone because it covers multiple states. So, which places in Montana are the most beautiful? Here's our Top 6.
Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf
Montana's Top 6 Most Affordable Places To Live
If you're looking for a piece of Montana to call home, but you're on a budget, it can be hard to make the dream of home ownership come true. However, there are still towns here in Big Sky Country that are affordable to the average person.
Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf
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