The means test in Montana: median income

The official median income for Montana, a quick first-step check and what happens if your income is above it.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

The U.S. Trustee Program publishes these medians for Montana. Income below the median for your household size passes the first step.

1 person
$71,310
2 people
$91,452
3 people
$103,285
4 people
$121,698
Each extra person
+$11,100
Medians apply to cases filed on or after
April 1, 2026

Are you below the Montana median?

Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Montana. Here are the official medians:

  • 1 person$71,310
  • 2 people$91,452
  • 3 people$103,285
  • 4 people$121,698
  • Each extra person+$11,100

Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4

The numbers are worked out in your browser. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent.

Before taxes. Add up all income for the last 6 months and divide by 6.

Enter your household size and income

Montana bankruptcy courts and divisions

Montana has one bankruptcy court for the whole state. You file there if you lived (were domiciled) in Montana for most of the 180 days before filing. The court's divisional map is at https://www.mtb.uscourts.gov/montana-divisional-map and its locations are at https://www.mtb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana

Divisions: One court for the whole state. Clerk's office in Butte; court locations also in Billings, Great Falls and Missoula.

Clerk's phone: (406) 497-1240; toll free (888) 888-2530

Court's self-help page

Montana exemptions in brief

In Montana you use state exemptions only (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).

Home (homestead): $350,000 in 2021, increased by 4% every calendar year after 2021.

Car or other vehicle: $4,000 of equity in one motor vehicle.

Exemptions in Montana

In nearby states

  • Wyoming: 1 person $71,745 · 2 people $91,502 · 3 people $98,476 · 4 people $110,297
  • Idaho: 1 person $73,413 · 2 people $86,160 · 3 people $98,381 · 4 people $119,662
  • North Dakota: 1 person $73,549 · 2 people $96,352 · 3 people $106,686 · 4 people $137,817
  • South Dakota: 1 person $69,190 · 2 people $89,809 · 3 people $100,883 · 4 people $130,738
  • Washington: 1 person $88,585 · 2 people $107,100 · 3 people $131,737 · 4 people $156,567
  • Utah: 1 person $87,898 · 2 people $95,757 · 3 people $112,751 · 4 people $131,741

What to do now in Montana

  1. Add up 6 months of income

    Collect proof of all income for the last 6 months.

  2. Do the official first step

    The official first step is Official Form 122A-1.

  3. If you are above the median

    Next comes the expense calculation on Official Form 122A-2.

Where to get free help in Montana

Questions about the means test in Montana

What is the homestead exemption in Montana?

$350,000 in 2021, increased by 4% every calendar year after 2021. The law tells the Montana Department of Revenue to set the homestead value limit by administrative rule. The homestead is the house or mobile home you live in, plus the land under it.

Which bankruptcy court do I use in Montana?

Montana has one bankruptcy court for the whole state. You file there if you lived (were domiciled) in Montana for most of the 180 days before filing. The court's divisional map is at https://www.mtb.uscourts.gov/montana-divisional-map and its locations are at https://www.mtb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations.

What income passes the means test in Montana?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $71,310; 2 people: $91,452; 3 people: $103,285; 4 people: $121,698; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Who helps with bankruptcy for free in Montana?

Montana Legal Services Association (help line), Montana Law Help (run by Montana Legal Services Association) and Montana courts Court Help Program (walk-in legal information for people without a lawyer).

Related Montana pages