Cost of Living in Missoula, MT
| Cost of Living in Missoula, MT | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 17% higher | 49% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 17% lower |
| Food | 2% lower | 1% lower |
| Healthcare | 2% lower | 9% higher |
| Transportation | 3% higher | 5% higher |
| Goods & Services | 4% lower | 6% higher |
The cost of living in Missoula, MT is 4% higher than the state average and 16% higher than the national average. Missoula, MT housing is 49% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 17% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 1% cheaper in Missoula, MT than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 9% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% pricier in Missoula, MT.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Missoula is $1,687, while home prices circle around $855,039.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Missoula, energy bills cost around $169.04 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.67 in Missoula, a dozen eggs go for around $4.57 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.34.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Missoula, an optometry check-up costs around $134.12, while a dentist appointment is priced $117.60 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.26 in Missoula, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $65.79.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $33.62 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $51.35.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Missoula, you should budget around $13.09 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $28.52, while dry cleaning costs about $22.81.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Missoula, the median household income is $70,392.