Seattle vs Missoula

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Washington salaries · Montana salaries

Living in Seattle vs Missoula

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Seattle has a housing index of 224 while Missoula sits at 141 (national average = 100). The median home in Seattle costs $750,000 compared to $460,000 in Missoula, a difference of $290,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Seattle versus $1,400 in Missoula.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Seattle scores 109 while Missoula scores 103.

Healthcare costs in Seattle (109) are higher than Missoula (102).

Median household income in Seattle is $97,185 compared to $49,234 in Missoula. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Missoula.

Relocating: Seattle vs Missoula

If you are considering a move between Seattle (index: 152) and Missoula (index: 115), the 24% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Missoula is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Seattle can afford $2,268/month, while the median household in Missoula can afford $1,149/month. With median homes at $750,000 in Seattle versus $460,000 in Missoula, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $2,300/month in Seattle and $1,400/month in Missoula, renters save significantly in Missoula. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes significantly further in Missoula. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Seattle (152) vs Missoula (115)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Seattle at 152 is 52% above the US average, while Missoula at 115 is 15% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Seattle costs meaningfully more than Missoula, with a 37-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Seattle scores 224 and Missoula scores 141. That 83-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Missoula with indices of 141 versus 224. Median home prices of $750,000 in Seattle and $460,000 in Missoula underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $2,300/month in Seattle and $1,400/month in Missoula, the annual rent difference is approximately $10,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $54,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $290,000 difference in median home prices between Seattle and Missoula translates to roughly $17,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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