Clarksville vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Clarksville
Missoula
The Verdict
Living in Clarksville costs 22.6% less than Missoula. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $96,910 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $96,910 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $58,043 in Clarksville.
Living in Clarksville vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $460,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $489/month in Missoula. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Clarksville and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville 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 93 in Clarksville and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $63,700 in Clarksville and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $42,812 respectively. Clarksville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,486/month to housing in Clarksville vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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