Denver vs Missoula

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Montana salaries

Living in Denver vs Missoula

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,400 in Missoula.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Missoula scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Missoula (102). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Denver vs Missoula

If you are considering a move between Denver (index: 118) and Missoula (index: 115), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Missoula is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month, while the median household in Missoula can afford $1,149/month. With median homes at $520,000 in Denver versus $460,000 in Missoula, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,900/month in Denver and $1,400/month in Missoula, renters save significantly in Missoula. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Denver (118) vs Missoula (115)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Denver at 118 is 18% above the US average, while Missoula at 115 is 15% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Denver and Missoula land within 3 points of each other on the composite index (118 vs 115), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 152 versus 141, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Denver and Missoula. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Missoula with indices of 141 versus 152. Median home prices of $520,000 in Denver and $460,000 in Missoula underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Denver has an edge in groceries, while Missoula is more affordable for housing and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,900/month in Denver and $1,400/month in Missoula, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $60,000 difference in median home prices between Denver and Missoula translates to roughly $3,600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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