Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Norfolk?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Norfolk?

Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Missoula vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,100 in Missoula, MT versus $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 2% higher in Missoula, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Missoula, MT

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$755

$1,102

+46% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$953

$1,032

+8% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$1,214

+3% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,602

+4% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$271,900

+36% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$64,017

+2% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$49,430

+3% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

32.4 yr

+1.9 yr in Missoula, MT

Homeownership

47.8%

45.7%

+2.1 pp in Missoula, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

32.7%

+19.0 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

22.9 min

+6.3 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

479.5

+20% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

3,685.2

3,800.7

+3% in Norfolk, VA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

45.9°F

61.3°F

+15.4°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

44.8 in

+30.6 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Missoula, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

17.2

+14% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$27.20

+169% in Norfolk, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Missoula, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Norfolk, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Missoula, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Missoula, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Missoula, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / VA)

None

5.3%

+5.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

5.75%

+0.1 pp in VA

Missoula vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Norfolk?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Norfolk?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).