Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Richmond?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Richmond?

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

Missoula vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,400/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 $1,400 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 4% 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

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$755

$1,183

+57% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$953

$1,195

+25% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$1,374

+17% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,447

+14% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$328,100

+23% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$62,671

+4% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$51,460

+8% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

34.5 yr

+0.2 yr in Richmond, VA

Homeownership

47.8%

43.5%

+4.3 pp in Missoula, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

44.1%

+7.6 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

22.1 min

+5.5 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

349

+42% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

3,685.2

3,240.2

+12% 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

58.9°F

+13.0°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

43.6 in

+29.5 in in Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$27.20

+169% in Richmond, 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Richmond?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Richmond?: 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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Richmond?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Richmond 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).