Denton vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Missoula
The Verdict
Living in Denton costs 6.1% less than Missoula. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $79,861 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $79,861 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $70,435 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $460,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton 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 90 in Denton and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $42,812 respectively. Denton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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