Montanans face mounting challenges affording essentials like healthcare, fuel, and groceries, a recent Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll reveals. Rising inflation is central to the growing economic struggle, with living costs at a sustained high. The U.S. consumer price index saw a 3.8% increase last month compared to April 2025.
Jeffrey Michael from the University of Montana notes that while housing costs have stabilized, other sectors like fuel, healthcare, and groceries are now predominant inflation drivers. Roughly 62% of voters reported difficulty with healthcare costs, particularly those aged 45 to 64, often facing high medical bills due to a lack of Medicare coverage. The expiration of enhanced federal marketplace subsidies at the end of 2025 further impacts affordability.
Transportation costs burden 61% of Montanans, with gas prices spiking 64% from $2.78 to $4.57 per gallon between February and May, according to GasBuddy. This surge follows U.S.-Israeli actions in Iran, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and affecting global oil supply. Challenges persist across all age groups in affording gas, groceries, and utilities.
Utility bills pose issues for 44% of respondents, yet are perceived as steadier than fluctuating gas or grocery prices. Notably, housing affordability concerns primarily affect younger residents, with nearly a third of individuals aged 18 to 44 struggling with rent or mortgage payments. The poll highlights ongoing housing market difficulties, particularly for first-time buyers aiming to transition from renting to homeownership.
Childcare and education costs remain barriers for younger Montanans, with 40% of those aged 18 to 44 encountering difficulties, compared to lower percentages among older groups. Childcare affordability poses a challenge for 18- to 44-year-olds, especially for parents of young children.
Despite these financial pressures, 71% of respondents indicate they are not planning to leave Montana soon, citing comparable living costs elsewhere. The MTFP-Eagleton survey, executed from late April 2025 to early May 2026, used a probability-based selection from voter files and adjusted results to match Montana’s voter demographics. The margin of error is +/- 4.3 percentage points. More on the methodology can be found here.
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