salaryMissoula is the 2nd-largest city in Montana that we track, with 76,514 residents. Rent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 15.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,360 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Montana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Montana. It is number 19 of 27 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Missoula?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Missoula
| Size | Missoula | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $832 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,086 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,354 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,857 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,493 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Missoula overall?
Everyday prices in the Missoula metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Missoula
Life in Missoula
What jobs pay in Missoula
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,220 | 13.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,990 | 13.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,650 | 14.0% |
| Lawyer | $100,490 | 18.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,050 | 18.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $84,420 | 21.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $83,800 | 22.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,160 | 22.4% |
| Operations Manager | $81,120 | 22.7% |
| Plumber | $79,750 | 23.1% |
| Electrician | $79,250 | 23.2% |
| Police Officer | $77,610 | 23.7% |
| Firefighter | $76,620 | 24.0% |
| Accountant | $72,920 | 25.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,350 | 28.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,130 | 29.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,240 | 30.6% |
| Truck Driver | $58,500 | 31.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,240 | 31.6% |
| Carpenter | $57,160 | 32.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,520 | 39.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,690 | 41.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,900 | 42.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,550 | 47.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,080 | 48.3% |
| Cashier | $35,610 | 51.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,430 | 52.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,210 | 79.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Missoula?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,749 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $473,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $47,310 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Missoula, MT?
Renting in Missoula costs a median of about $1,534 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Montana median is $1,260.
How much do I need to make to live in Missoula?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,360 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Missoula cheap or expensive?
Missoula is rated OK: rent takes 24.2% of the typical household income of $75,918. It ranks 19th cheapest of 27 Montana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Missoula?
The median homeowner in Missoula pays $4,450 a year in property taxes, about 0.94% of the median home value.
Is Missoula more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Missoula?
The median home value in Missoula is $473,100, about 6.2 times the typical yearly household income.
76,514 people live in Missoula. Numbers are typical (middle) values.