Building Net Worth in Montana
Net worth is the single most comprehensive measure of financial health — it captures everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). In Montana, with a cost of living index of 101 and a median home price of $430K, housing is typically the dominant asset for middle-income households.
The price-to-income ratio in Montana is 7.0× — meaning the median home costs 7.0 years of the median household's gross income. This is a high ratio suggesting significant home-equity-driven wealth concentration among existing homeowners, but barriers to entry for first-time buyers.
Net Worth Targets by Age in Montana
| Age | Benchmark (× income) | At $61K/yr |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1× annual income | $61,000 |
| 40 | 3× annual income | $183,000 |
| 50 | 6× annual income | $366,000 |
| 60 | 8× annual income | $488,000 |
| 67 (retirement) | 10× annual income | $610,000 |
Targets apply to investable assets (retirement accounts + savings), not including home equity.
Montana vs. National Wealth Context
| Metric | Montana | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,000 | $74,580 |
| Median Home Price | $430,000 | $420,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 100 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 7.0× | 5.6× |
| National Median Net Worth | — | $192,700 |