33. Montana

The breathtaking vistas of Big Sky Country contribute to an enviable quality of life. Unions have a strong presence in a state surrounded by right-to-work states.

Category
Score
2014 Rank
2013 Rank
Cost of Doing Business 314 12 5
Workforce 97 46 (Tie) 34
Quality of Life 205 11 12
Infrastructure & Transportation 192 25 (Tie) 12
Economy 171 38 19
Education 86 21 23
Technology & Innovation 66 45 40
Business Friendliness 59 (Tie) 42 43
Cost of Living 26 25 30
Access to Capital 12 27 (Tie) 39
Overall 1228 33 19

Economic Profile

Governor: Steve Bullock, Democrat

Population: 1,015,165

GDP growth: 3.0 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2014): 4.8 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 6.75 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 6.9 percent

Gasoline tax: 46 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/stable

Major private employer: Wal-Mart

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Montana FY 2013 CAFR

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