Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$75,598$6,300 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Missoula County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Missoula County, MT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Missoula, MT HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,143 | $13,716 | $45,720 | 18.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,400 | $16,800 | $56,000 | 22.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,655 | $19,860 | $66,200 | 26.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,302 | $27,624 | $92,080 | 36.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,776 | $33,312 | $111,040 | 44.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Missoula County, MT
Based on the local median household income of $75,598/year ($6,300/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Montana
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Montana state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Montana with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Missoula County, MT
What is the median household income in Missoula County, MT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Missoula County, MT is $75,598 per year (approximately $6,300 per month).
What is the average rent in Missoula County, MT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Missoula County, MT are $1,143 for a studio, $1,400 for 1 bedroom, $1,655 for 2 bedrooms, $2,302 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,776 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Missoula County, MT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Missoula County, MT is 96.4 (3.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Missoula County, MT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,655/month) in Missoula County, MT requires a minimum gross household income of $66,200 per year ($5,517 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Missoula County, MT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $75,598/year ($6,300/month) in Missoula County, MT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,150/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,890/month to discretionary spending, and $1,260/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Missoula County, MT?
Residential electricity rates in Montana average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.