Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
6% cheaper
Missoula is 6% more affordable than Fort Lauderdale. A $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale is equivalent to $70,697 in Missoula.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Montana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Fort Lauderdale has a housing index of 155 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Lauderdale costs $380,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,000 in Fort Lauderdale versus $1,400 in Missoula.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Lauderdale scores 106 while Missoula scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Fort Lauderdale (99) are lower than Missoula (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $54,468 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Missoula.
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