CostIndexUSA

Missoula, MT vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMT
Missoula
96.4
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Missoula is slightly cheaper than Reading — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Missoula, you would need $80,600 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.0%
Missoula
94.9
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+4.9%
Missoula
96
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Missoula
103.7
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Missoula
93.8
Reading
92.8
Utilities+50.1%
Missoula
72.1
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$80,600
$600 more needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 96.4) = salary × 1.0073. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Missoula, MT

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

Reading, PA

Median Home Price
$299,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
85.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Missoula has 10.0% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Missoula, MT

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

Reading, PA

Median Household Income
$75,700
Per Capita Income
$43,100
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
95,112
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

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

Missoula, MT
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.