Burlington vs Missoula
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Burlington
Missoula
💡 The Verdict
Burlington and Missoula have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
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: Vermont salaries · Montana salaries
Living in Burlington vs Missoula
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Burlington has a housing index of 139 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Burlington costs $380,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800 in Burlington versus $1,400 in Missoula.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Burlington scores 108 while Missoula scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Burlington (116) are higher than Missoula (102).
Median household income in Burlington is $51,098 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Burlington vs Missoula
If you are considering a move between Burlington (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 Burlington can afford $1,192/month, while the median household in Missoula can afford $1,149/month. With median homes at $380,000 in Burlington versus $460,000 in Missoula, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,800/month in Burlington 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: Burlington (118) vs Missoula (115)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Burlington 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.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,800/month in Burlington and $1,400/month in Missoula, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $80,000 difference in median home prices between Burlington and Missoula translates to roughly $4,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
🔗 Related Tools
📚 Moving & Relocation Resources
Amazon affiliate links