City Comparison

Missoula vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Missoula

Montana
115
Above Average
$460,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,234
Median Income

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

49.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 49.4%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to $50,217 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
141
Missoula
55
Toledo
Groceries
103
Missoula
98
Toledo
Utilities
89
Missoula
92
Toledo
Transportation
101
Missoula
101
Toledo
Healthcare
102
Missoula
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Missoula has the same purchasing power as $50,217 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $112,013 in Missoula.

Living in Missoula vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $128,000. The $332,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $466/month in Toledo. 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 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $368 in Toledo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula and 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $54,805 respectively. Toledo 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 49.4% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Missoula has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,217 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Missoula's housing index is 141 with median homes at $460,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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