Missoula vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 35.3% less than Missoula. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Missoula, you would need $55,435 in Odessa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Missoula has the same purchasing power as $55,435 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $101,471 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $223,000. The $237,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,408 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $456/month in Odessa. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Missoula and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $400 in Odessa. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula and 96 in Odessa. 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 $49,234 in Missoula and $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,149/month to housing in Missoula vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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