Missoula vs Oxnard
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Oxnard
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.3%, with Missoula being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to $100,435 in Oxnard.
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 $100,435 in Oxnard.
Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $56,006 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Oxnard
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $653,000. The $193,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $532/month in Oxnard. Missoula offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Missoula and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $428 in Oxnard. 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 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,234 in Missoula and $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $62,468 respectively. Oxnard 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 $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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