Missoula vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Missoula
Vienna
The Verdict
Living in Vienna costs 30.7% less than Missoula. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Missoula, you would need $57,391 in Vienna.
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 Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $98,011 in Missoula.
Living in Missoula vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Missoula's housing index of 141 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $460,000 vs $395,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Missoula compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Missoula and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Missoula vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1020/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Missoula and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Missoula vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Missoula and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,812 and $54,545 respectively. Vienna 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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