Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
26% cheaper
Missoula is 26% more affordable than Long Beach. A $75,000 salary in Long Beach is equivalent to $55,645 in Missoula.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Montana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Long Beach has a housing index of 236 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Long Beach costs $700,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $240,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,200 in Long Beach versus $1,400 in Missoula.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Long Beach scores 106 while Missoula scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Long Beach (103) are higher than Missoula (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Long Beach is $60,567 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Missoula.
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