Last checked October 29, 2026.
A single adult renting their own 1-bedroom in Missoula needs about $49,800 a year, slightly more than the $47,830 median wage there. Missoula’s free buses make it one of the few Montana towns where living without a car is realistic.
At a glance
| Population | 78,903 (July 2025 Census estimate) |
| Region | Glacier Country, Missoula County |
| Average 1-bedroom / 2-bedroom rent | $1,313 / $1,687 |
| Home prices | $525,000 median sale (Redfin, Aug 2026); $563,970 typical value (Zillow, Sep 2026) |
| Income needed, own 1-bedroom | $49,760 full budget; $52,520 by the 30% rule |
| Median wage, all jobs | $47,830 (Missoula metro, May 2025) |
| Electric and gas | NorthWestern Energy for both |
| Resort tax | None |
| Buses | Mountain Line, fare-free since 2015 |
| Airport / hospitals | Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) / Providence St. Patrick, Community Medical Center |
Rent
| Source | 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zumper | $1,250 | $1,697 | Oct 11, 2026 |
| Apartments.com | $1,376 | $1,677 | Oct 2026 |
| Average | $1,313 | $1,687 |
RentCafe puts Missoula’s overall average rent, all unit sizes, at $1,748 (RentCafe, Oct 2026). A 2026 housing report found average 2-bedroom rent rose 11.4% during 2025, from $1,491 to $1,661 (Montana Free Press).
Buying a home
Redfin’s median sale price was $525,000 in August 2026, down 10.3% from a year earlier (Redfin). Zillow’s typical home value, which covers all homes rather than just those sold, was $563,970 in September 2026 (Zillow). See property tax for how the 2026 homestead rate works.
Monthly budget, own 1-bedroom
| Rent | $1,313 |
| Electric and gas (NorthWestern Energy typical bills) | $195 |
| Car, paid off | $441 |
| Groceries, health premium, phone and internet, eating out, renters insurance, other | $1,018 |
| Total | $2,967 |
| Salary needed with 10% saved, after taxes | $49,760 ($23.92 an hour) |
Without a car the same budget needs about $41,700. Sharing a 2-bedroom (with a car) needs about $41,200. Try your own numbers in the salary calculator.
Common questions
How much do you need to make to live in Missoula?
About $49,800 a year before taxes ($23.92 an hour) for a single adult renting their own 1-bedroom, with a paid-off car and 10% saved, at 2026 asking rents and tax rates (our calculation). Without a car it’s about $41,700. The median job in the Missoula metro paid $47,830 in May 2025 (BLS).
What is the average rent in Missoula?
About $1,313 a month for a 1-bedroom and $1,687 for a 2-bedroom, the average of Zumper and Apartments.com asking rents in October 2026.
Is Missoula cheaper than Bozeman?
Yes. On the same budget, renting your own 1-bedroom takes about $49,760 a year in Missoula and $60,325 in Bozeman, about $10,600 less, mostly because the average 1-bedroom asking rent is $1,313 against $1,891 (2026). The median home sale price was $525,000 in Missoula and $649,570 in Bozeman (Redfin, August 2026).
How much are property taxes in Missoula?
On the $525,000 median home (Redfin, August 2026), about $3,722 a year if you live in it and $8,849 as a second home, at Montana’s 2026 rates and an 887.15-mill total levy from a 2026 Missoula County tax bill for a downtown city parcel. Levies vary by district within the city. See property tax.
Can you live in Missoula without a car?
More easily than in most of Montana: Mountain Line buses have been fare-free since 2015. In our budget, going without a car saves about $441 a month.
Does Missoula have a sales tax?
No. Montana has no general sales tax, and Missoula has no resort tax.