Median Age
36 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 19% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
16%
Missoula
Missoula, MT Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,361
Population
87,098
Renter Mix
52% Rent
Where Montana balances rugged, natural beauty and urban sophistication
Scenic
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Nature
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Mountains
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Bustling
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Urban
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University
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Cultural
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Entertainment
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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.
Explore the City
Toole Park features river access, a view of downtown Missoula and wildlife.
Caras Park is framed by a beautiful river.
Missoula's Out to Lunch event features live music and food trucks in Caras Park.
Shop local at Riverfront's many retail spots along Hip Strip.
Explore retail treasures on Hip Strip in Riverfront.
The Clark Fork River adds serene beauty to the Heart of Missoula.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$63,753
Average: $91,817
Education
36,918
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
51,165
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Missoula has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
52%
Non-Renters
48%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
34%
Other Education
66%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Missoula, MT is $1,089 for a studio, $1,356 for one bedroom, $1,655 for two bedrooms, and $2,065 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Missoula has increased by 3.2% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,356/month
674 Sq Ft
House
$2,464/month
1,068 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,533/month
539 Sq Ft
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 $1,085 - $2,058. You can expect to pay 1.3% less for groceries, 16.9% less for utilities, and 4.9% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Missoula, MT is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Very Bikeable
Bikeability
80
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
520 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
463 Students
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
461 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
445 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
387 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
137 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
663 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
472 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
329 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
579 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,378 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,304 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,186 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
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
Colleges
Top Apartments in Missoula
Houses for Rent in Missoula
Property Management Companies in Missoula, MT
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.