CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Missoula, MT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableMT
Missoula
96.4
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Missoula is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 8.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $73,200 in Missoula. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing13.6%
Anchorage
109.9
Missoula
94.9
🛒 Groceries10.5%
Anchorage
107.3
Missoula
96
🚗 Transportation4.4%
Anchorage
108.5
Missoula
103.7
🏥 Healthcare4.5%
Anchorage
98.2
Missoula
93.8
Utilities35.5%
Anchorage
111.8
Missoula
72.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Missoula to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Missoula, MT
$73,200
$6,800 less needed in Missoula

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9146. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Missoula, MT

Median Home Price
$552,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
94.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.7×

Anchorage has 13.6% lower housing costs compared to Missoula.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Missoula, MT

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
73,489
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTourismGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Missoula, MT
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.