Portland vs Missoula
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Portland
Missoula
💡 The Verdict
Portland and Missoula have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Maine salaries · Montana salaries
Living in Portland vs Missoula
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Portland has a housing index of 137 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Portland costs $395,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $65,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Portland versus $1,400 in Missoula.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Portland scores 107 while Missoula scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Portland (110) are higher than Missoula (102).
Median household income in Portland is $56,895 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Portland vs Missoula
If you are considering a move between Portland (index: 117) and Missoula (index: 115), the 2% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Missoula is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Portland can afford $1,328/month, while the median household in Missoula can afford $1,149/month. With median homes at $395,000 in Portland versus $460,000 in Missoula, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Portland and $1,400/month in Missoula, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Portland (117) vs Missoula (115)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Portland at 117 is 17% above the US average, while Missoula at 115 is 15% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Portland and $1,400/month in Missoula, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $65,000 difference in median home prices between Portland and Missoula translates to roughly $3,900 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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