Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Denver and Missoula have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Montana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,400 in Missoula.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Missoula scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Missoula (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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