Missoula

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Missoula, MT Area Guide

Where Montana balances rugged, natural beauty and urban sophistication

Scenic Nature Mountains Bustling Urban University Cultural Entertainment

Located at the meeting point of five mountain ranges in western Montana, Missoula combines outdoor recreation with a rich cultural scene. The city of over 87,000 residents features the Clark Fork River running through its center, complemented by 400 acres of parkland and 22 miles of trails. Downtown Missoula preserves its historic character with local shops and eateries in restored buildings, while residential areas include established neighborhoods near the University of Montana campus and newer communities in the South Hills. The rental market includes apartments, townhomes, and single-family houses, with current average rents ranging from $1,036 for studios to $1,982 for three-bedroom units, reflecting a 3.3% annual increase.

Missoula, nicknamed the "Garden City," serves as a regional center in western Montana. Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo frame the city's skyline, offering hiking trails including the well-known "M" trail with valley views. The community calendar includes the River City Roots Festival, monthly First Friday art walks, and shows at the restored Wilma Theatre. The surrounding area provides access to skiing and wilderness areas, while St. Patrick Hospital and Community Medical Center serve as major healthcare facilities. The rental market shows consistent growth, particularly in central locations. Missoula's position at the intersection of five valleys creates distinct weather patterns and provides access to Montana's outdoor recreation areas.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Missoula, MT is $1,086 for a studio, $1,346 for one bedroom, $1,647 for two bedrooms, and $2,049 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Missoula has increased by 2.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,346/month
675 Sq Ft
House
$2,328/month
1,263 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,658/month
772 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Missoula, MT

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Missoula, MT is 15.5% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Missoula is 48.9% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,086 - $2,049. You can expect to pay 1.3% less for groceries, 16.9% less for utilities, and 4.9% more for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Missoula, MT is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

53 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Some Transit

31 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Bikeable

68 / 100

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Paxson School

Public

Grades PK-5

Rattlesnake Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

Hawthorne School

Public

Grades PK-5

Russell School

Public

Grades PK-5

Target Range 7-8

Public

Grades 6-8

Washington Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Hellgate Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Meadow Hill Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Porter Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Sentinel High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Hellgate High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Big Sky High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Montana Natural History Center
  • Children's Museum Missoula
  • Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum
  • spectrUM Discovery Area
  • Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park

Airports

  • Missoula Montana

Top Apartments in Missoula

Houses for Rent in Missoula

Property Management Companies in Missoula, MT

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.