Montana Ranks 46th for Air and Water Quality in 2026

When you think about Montana, clean air, open country, and clear water probably come to mind. That is why one number in the latest U.S. News Best States rankings for Montana may come as a surprise.

Montana ranks 46th in the nation for air and water quality.

The state lands at number 29 overall in the 2026 rankings, which look at everything from healthcare and education to infrastructure, public safety, and opportunity. Some of Montana’s results are encouraging. Others point to areas where the state still has work to do.

Montana’s Overall 2026 Best States Ranking

According to the Montana rankings from U.S. News, the state is ranked number 29 overall among the 50 states.

Its strongest category is opportunity, where Montana ranks 15th. Education is also a bright spot at number 16, while fiscal stability comes in at number 21.

On the other end of the list, Montana ranks 41st for healthcare, 38th for crime and corrections, and 33rd for infrastructure.

Montana Education Rankings Are Among the State’s Best

Education is one area where Montana performs well, ranking 16th overall.

Higher education ranks 12th in the country, while prekindergarten through 12th grade education ranks 21st. Montana also has a lower average student debt at graduation than the national average, coming in at $11,667 compared to $13,631 nationwide.

The U.S. News Montana data also lists an average NAEP math score of 279, above the national average of 274. Montana’s high school graduation rate is 85.5%, just under the national average of 85.8%.

Montana Healthcare Ranks Near the Bottom

Healthcare is Montana’s lowest-ranked category at number 41.

Healthcare quality ranks 42nd, healthcare access ranks 38th, and public health ranks 31st. The report says 12.2% of Montana residents don't have health insurance, compared to a national average of 11.3%.

There is some positive news within the healthcare data, though. Montana has 1,864 preventable hospital admissions per 100,000 Medicare patients, below the national average of 2,726. Montana’s obesity rate of 30.9% is also below the national average of 34.2%.

Montana Roads and Commutes Get High Marks

Montana’s infrastructure ranking is No. 33 overall, but transportation ranks number 11 in the country.

The average Montana commute is 19.5 minutes, much shorter than the national average of 27.2 minutes. The report also says 12% of Montana roads are in poor condition, compared to 18.9% nationwide.

Energy ranks 14th, helped by renewable energy use of 12.7%, above the national average of 8.8%. Internet access is a much bigger concern, though, ranking 45th in the country.

Why Montana’s Air and Water Quality Ranking Stands Out

Montana ranks 29th overall for natural environment. But the environmental rankings for Montana are a mixed bag.

The state ranks fifth for pollution, yet it ranks 46th for air and water quality. U.S. News reports Montana has 81 days with unhealthy air quality, fewer than the national average of 152 days.

The drinking water figure is where Montana stands out in a less positive way. The report lists 11.69 drinking-water violation points per 1,000 residents, compared to a national average of 2.29.

Montana’s industrial toxin level is 286 pounds per square mile, well below the national average of 930 pounds per square mile.

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Montana Economy and Fiscal Stability Rankings

Montana ranks 27th for the economy. Employment ranks 22nd, business environment ranks 32nd, and growth ranks 27th.

Fiscal stability ranks 21st overall. Montana ranks 12th for short-term fiscal stability and 27th for long-term fiscal stability. The state has an A1-Stable government credit rating.

The full Montana Best States report shows a state with plenty of strengths, including education, transportation, energy, and opportunity. Still, the healthcare and air and water quality rankings are worth watching, especially for the people who call Montana home.