Missoula vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Sydney
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.5%, with Sydney being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to $68,478 in Sydney.
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 $68,478 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $82,143 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Sydney
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $825,000. The $365,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $451/month in Sydney. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Missoula and 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $57,143 respectively. Sydney 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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