Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Norman?

Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Missoula vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/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 $1,050 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Missoula, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $65,060 in Norman, OK. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Missoula, MT

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$755

$820

+9% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$953

$863

+9% in Missoula, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$1,056

+10% in Missoula, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,377

+18% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$239,300

+44% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$65,060

+0% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$47,230

+1% in Missoula, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

31.6 yr

+2.7 yr in Missoula, MT

Homeownership

47.8%

52.7%

+4.9 pp in Norman, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

46.2%

+5.5 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

22.2 min

+5.6 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

268.6

+55% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

3,685.2

2,294.1

+38% 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

45.9°F

61.5°F

+15.6°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

36.5 in

+22.4 in in Norman, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Missoula, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

14.3

+5% in Missoula, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$31.25

+209% in Norman, OK

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 Norman, OK

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 / OK)

None

4.5%

+4.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.50%

+1.2 pp in MT

Missoula vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Norman?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).