Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Missoula?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $38,000 in Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Missoula?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Meridian vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID versus $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 34% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$755

+50% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$953

+38% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,176

+21% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,676

+11% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$427,400

+12% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$65,329

+34% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$47,830

+3% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

34.3 yr

+3.1 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

47.8%

+28.3 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

51.7%

+7.3 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

22.3 min

16.6 min

+5.7 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

601.9

+300% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

583.5

3,685.2

+532% 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

52.5°F

45.9°F

+6.6°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

14.1 in

+2.4 in in Missoula, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.1

+5% in Missoula, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$10.12

+11% in Meridian, ID

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 (ID / MT)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.65%

+0.4 pp in MT

Meridian vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Missoula?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Missoula?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $38,000 in Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Missoula?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).