Missoula vs Springdale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Springdale
The Verdict
Living in Springdale costs 32.2% less than Missoula. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Missoula, you would need $56,739 in Springdale.
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 $56,739 in Springdale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $99,138 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Springdale
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $299,000. The $161,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,464 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 Springdale, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases