Missoula vs Peoria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Peoria
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 51.3%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to $49,565 in Peoria.
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 $49,565 in Peoria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $113,487 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Peoria
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Peoria's 42, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $164,000. The $296,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $1,000/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 97 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $461/month in Peoria. Peoria offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Missoula and 103 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $412 in Peoria. 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 107 in Peoria. 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 $58,700 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $77,237 respectively. Peoria 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 $1,370/month in Peoria. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Peoria, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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