Missoula vs Scranton

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 $58,696 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $95,833 in Missoula.

Living in Missoula vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $195,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 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 Scranton, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $466/month in Scranton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Missoula and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $408 in Scranton. 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 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $55,000 respectively. Scranton 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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