How Much Does It Cost to Grow Cannabis at Home in Montana?
Montana electricity runs 11.8¢/kWh — we factor that into every calculation below. Spoiler: growing beats buying for most home growers.
Electricity rate
11.8¢/kWh
Among the lowest in the US
Plant limit
4 plants
per household
Dispensary price
$220/oz
avg. retail
Home-grow cost
~$25/oz
all in, all tiers
Three Tiers of Home Grow Cost in Montana
Budget (2x2)
2x2 tent · 4 oz/harvest
First-year savings
$2,794
vs $3,520 at dispensary
Standard (2x4)
2x4 tent · 10 oz/harvest
First-year savings
$7,590
vs $8,800 at dispensary
Premium (4x4)
4x4 tent · 20 oz/harvest
First-year savings
$15,580
vs $17,600 at dispensary
What's Different About Growing in Montana?
Among the lowest in the US. Your electricity cost is a baseline driver — higher than average states like California and New York mean a few hundred dollars more per year in power costs. Offsetting factors: Montana's dispensary prices (averaging $220/oz) determine how fast your grow pays for itself.
I-190 (Montana Marijuana Legalization) allows up to 4 plants per household, which sets an upper limit on how much you can legally grow. Most home growers run fewer plants but bigger — 4 plants in a SCROG yields more than 8 plants crowded together.
Our assumptions (click to expand)
• Electricity: Montana residential average of 11.8¢/kWh (EIA data)
• Light runs 18/6 in veg, 12/12 in flower — averaged to 15 hours/day
• 30% power overhead added for fans, accessories
• 4 harvests/year (perpetual setup) with autoflowers or photoperiods rotating
• Yield estimates are median — experienced growers hit the high end, first-timers the low end
• Nutrients, seeds, and consumables estimated at $200/year (more if you buy premium seeds)
• Dispensary price: $220/oz average retail in Montana
• First-year savings assume you use or value everything you grow. Your mileage will vary.
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