Inflation, It Could Be Worse

Prices are up, but not as much in Montana as some other states. According to Porch.com, the Cost of Living access the US went up 7.5% in January, but the price index increases have been driven by the rising cost of housing. When housing, goods and services and utilities are all factored in, Montana's cost of living is nearly 8% lower than the national average. Here is a summary of the data for Montana:

• Overall cost of living (compared to average): -7.6%

• Cost of housing (compared to average): -21.0%

• Cost of goods (compared to average): -3.8%

• Cost of utilities (compared to average): -17.5%

• Per capita personal income: $53,361