Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Missoula?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $38,000 in Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Madison or Missoula?

Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Madison vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/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 $1,420 in Madison, WI versus $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,983 in Madison, WI and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 15% higher in Madison, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Madison, WI

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,018

$755

+26% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$1,219

$953

+22% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,432

$1,176

+18% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,766

$1,676

+5% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$346,900

$427,400

+23% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$76,983

$65,329

+15% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

$47,830

+18% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

34.3 yr

+2.5 yr in Missoula, MT

Homeownership

46.6%

47.8%

+1.2 pp in Missoula, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

51.7%

+7.5 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

16.6 min

+2.8 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

259.5

601.9

+132% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

1,884.5

3,685.2

+96% in Missoula, MT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

45.9°F

+0.6°F in Madison, WI

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

14.1 in

+20.3 in in Madison, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Missoula, MT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

15.1

+23% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$10.12

+44% in Madison, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Missoula, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Missoula, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Missoula, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / MT)

None

+5.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

5.65%

+2.0 pp in WI

Madison vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Madison or Missoula?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Madison than in Missoula?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Madison versus $38,000 in Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Madison or Missoula?: Madison is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).