Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Topeka?

Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Missoula vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Missoula, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 14% higher in Missoula, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Missoula, MT

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$755

$702

+7% in Missoula, MT

1 Bedroom

$953

$758

+20% in Missoula, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$977

+17% in Missoula, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,177

+30% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$130,600

+69% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$55,902

+14% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$49,540

+4% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

38.2 yr

+3.9 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

47.8%

59.2%

+11.4 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

29.1%

+22.6 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

16.7 min

+0.1 min in Topeka, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

856.5

+42% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,685.2

3,660.2

+1% 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

55.1°F

+9.2°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

36.5 in

+22.3 in in Topeka, KS

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

15.7

+4% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$25.12

+148% in Topeka, KS

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

$1.66

+19% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Missoula, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Missoula, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / KS)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

5.58%

+0.1 pp in MT

Missoula vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Topeka?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).