Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Reno?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Reno?

Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Missoula vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 17% higher in Reno, NV. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Missoula, MT

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$755

$964

+28% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$953

$1,206

+27% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$1,518

+29% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,885

+12% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$498,600

+17% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$78,448

+20% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$49,660

+4% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

37.3 yr

+3.0 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

47.8%

49.4%

+1.6 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

35.7%

+16.0 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

20.6 min

+4.0 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

528.9

+12% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

3,685.2

2,489.3

+32% 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

53.8°F

+7.9°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

7.4 in

+6.7 in in Missoula, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$5.21/gal

+22% in Reno, NV

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

13.1

+13% in Missoula, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$13.83

+37% in Reno, NV

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 (MT / NV)

None

6.85%

+6.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

None

+5.7 pp in MT

Missoula vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Reno?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Reno?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).