Bellevue vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Missoula
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 37.4%, with Missoula being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $54,589 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $54,589 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $103,043 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $460,000. The $841,000 difference in home prices means roughly $54,660 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $1,125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $489/month in Missoula. Missoula offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $356 in Missoula. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $42,812 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 108 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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