Missoula, MT Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Missoula, MT Summary

Cost of living in Missoula research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Missoula is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Montana, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Missoula is 108, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Missoula is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • Missoula ranks as the #15 cheapest in Montana out of 25.

  • Missoula ranks as the #3,467 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Missoula is $560,025.

  • The median income in Missoula is $65,329.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
108
Missoula's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Missoula, MT?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Missoula has an overall cost of living index of 108, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Montana, Missoula has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Montana's index of 101.

The standard of living in Missoula ranks as #15 most affordable out of the 25 places we measured in Montana. By definition, that implies Missoula ranks as the #10 most expensive place in the Treasure State.

For more reading on life in Missoula, check out:

15 out of 25
In Montana
3,467 out of 6,489
In America

Missoula Cost Of Living Vs. Montana

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Missoula. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Missoula is 88.

  • The Groceries index in Missoula is 99.

  • The Health index in Missoula is 91.

  • The Housing index in Missoula is 144.

  • The Transportation index in Missoula is 104.

  • The Utilities index in Missoula is 95.

Living Expense Missoula Montana National Average
Overall 108 101 100
Services 88 104 100
Groceries 99 102 100
Health 91 99 100
Housing 144 100 100
Transportation 104 107 100
Utilities 95 95 100
For more reading on cost of living around Montana, check out:
Missoula Cost of Living Vs. MT

Missoula, MT Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Montana, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Missoula is $560,025.

  • The Median Rent in Missoula is $1,120.

  • The Median Income in Missoula is $65,329.

  • The Home Value To Income in Missoula is 8.6x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Missoula is 0.21x.

Statistic Missoula Montana United States
Median Home Value $560,025 $460,050 $303,400
Median Rent $1,120 $1,031 $1,348
Median Income $65,329 $69,922 $78,538
Home Value To Income 8.6x 6.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.21x 0.18x 0.21x
$560,025
Median Home Value
$1,120
Median Rent
$65,329
Median Income

Missoula, MT Costs By Category

Detailed Missoula Services Costs Vs. Montana

Item Missoula Montana
Shampoo $1.16 $1.28
Movie $12.99 $12.13
Bowling $16.78 $18
Haircut $15.71 $24.26
Beauty Salon $37.87 $45.56

Detailed Missoula Groceries Costs Vs. Montana

Item Missoula Montana
Ground Beef $6.31 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.59 $1.57
Milk $4.55 $4.67
Potatoes $4.61 $4.93
Pizza $12.03 $12.09
Beer $10.57 $10.41
Toothpaste $4.19 $3.7

Detailed Missoula Health Costs Vs. Montana

Item Missoula Montana
Optometrist $105.94 $125.68
Doctor $115.67 $135.78
Dentist $112.63 $113.29

Detailed Missoula Transportation Costs Vs. Montana

Item Missoula Montana
Gasoline $3.37 $3.46
Tire Balancing $69.17 $59.92

Detailed Missoula Utilities Costs Vs. Montana

Item Missoula Montana
All Electricity $176.82 $193.99
Phone $182.36 $192.25

Missoula SnackAbility

8
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
8
Affordability
5
Diversity
6
Safety
4
Amenities
9
Education
9.5
Commute
9.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Missoula

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Missoula. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Orchard Homes, MT has a cost of living index of 114, 1.1x Missoula.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Missoula
Orchard Homes, MT 5,280 114 1.1x

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