College Station vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Missoula
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.3%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $99,138 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $99,138 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $56,739 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Missoula
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $460,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $489/month in Missoula. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $42,812 respectively. College Station residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/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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