Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Paterson?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $47,000 in Paterson.

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Paterson?

Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Missoula vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 18% higher in Missoula, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Missoula, MT

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$755

$786

+4% in Paterson, NJ

1 Bedroom

$953

$1,183

+24% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$1,468

+25% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,729

+3% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$335,400

+22% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$53,766

+18% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$61,430

+28% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

33.3 yr

+1.0 yr in Missoula, MT

Homeownership

47.8%

26.2%

+21.6 pp in Missoula, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

12.5%

+39.2 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

23.1 min

+6.5 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

1,010.1

+68% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

3,685.2

2,391.4

+35% 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

52.2°F

+6.3°F in Paterson, NJ

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

49.0 in

+34.9 in in Paterson, NJ

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

24.9

+65% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$17.68

+75% in Paterson, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Missoula, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Missoula, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / NJ)

None

6.625%

+6.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

10.75%

+5.1 pp in NJ

Missoula vs Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Paterson?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Paterson?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).