Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Missoula?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Denver, CO's $1,760, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Missoula?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $38,000 in Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Missoula?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Denver vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,760/mo est.

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,760 in Denver, CO versus $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 29% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$755

+50% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$953

+40% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,176

+40% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,676

+26% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$427,400

+27% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$65,329

+29% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$47,830

+23% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

49.1%

47.8%

+1.3 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

51.7%

+3.9 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

16.6 min

+8.8 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

601.9

+40% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

3,685.2

+23% in Denver, CO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

45.9°F

+4.3°F in Denver, CO

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

14.1 in

+1.4 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.16/gal

$4.27/gal

+2% in Missoula, MT

Area: Denver vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

15.1

+12% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$10.12

+33% in Denver, CO

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / MT)

2.9%

None

+2.9 pp in CO

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.65%

+1.3 pp in MT

Denver vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Missoula?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Denver, CO's $1,760, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Missoula?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $38,000 in Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Missoula?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).