Casper vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Casper
Missoula
The Verdict
Living in Casper costs 17.4% less than Missoula. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Casper, you would need $90,789 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $90,789 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $61,957 in Casper.
Living in Casper vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Casper's housing index of 82 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $460,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper vs $489/month in Missoula. Casper offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Casper and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Casper and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,200 in Casper and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 and $42,812 respectively. Casper residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/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 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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