Meridian vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Meridian
Missoula
The Verdict
Living in Missoula costs 4.3% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Meridian, you would need $71,875 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Meridian has the same purchasing power as $71,875 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $78,261 in Meridian.
Living in Meridian vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Meridian's housing index of 154 is higher Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $509,000 vs $460,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Meridian compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Meridian and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Meridian 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 86 in Meridian and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Meridian vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Meridian and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $99,700 in Meridian and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,083 and $42,812 respectively. Meridian residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,326/month to housing in Meridian vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/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 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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