Missoula vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.7%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to $57,391 in Racine.
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 $57,391 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $98,011 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Racine
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $126,000. The $334,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $461/month in Racine. Racine 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases