Housing and tax tradeoff: Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana comes out ahead here on rent burden and rent. This only compares rent burden, rent, home price, and estimated state tax burden; it is not a total cost-of-living ranking.
Demand-Backed Comparison
Compare Bend vs Missoula on cost, climate, safety, and daily life
People have logged this comparison 29 times on WhyThere. The cards open full city pages. The charts and matrix below are the fast side-by-side read on housing, climate, walkability, safety, schools, parks, and day-to-day tradeoffs.
BendMissoula
What Stands Out
A quick read on this comparison
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Biggest tradeoff: Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on climate comfort, weaker on daily convenience.
Potential dealbreaker: Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on tax burden.
Comparison Matrix
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | ||
| General Info | ||
| Population | 87,014 | 71,022 |
| Population Density | N/A | 2.1k /sq mi |
| Center Elevation | 3,629 ft(1,106 m) | 3,209 ft(978 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | ||
| Median Home | $719,428 | $552,881 |
| Median Rent | $2,258 | $1,526 |
| Median Income | $82,671 | $59,783 |
| Rent Burden | 33% | 31% |
| Climate & Risks | ||
| Days with 5+ Hours of Sun | 306 days/yr | 295 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 60°F | 59°F |
| Avg. Low | 39°F | 37°F |
| Comfort Score | 50/100Mixed | 38/100Challenging |
| Temp Swing | 45°F | 52°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 25"(64 cm) | 19"(48 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 58"(147 cm) | 46"(117 cm) |
| Air Quality | Typical: 392024 modeled avg · 8 days > 100 | Typical: 402024 modeled avg · 3 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | ||
| Transit Score | 37 | 55 |
| Safety Score | 80 / 100 | 60 / 100 |
| School Rating | 6.2/10 | N/A |
| Central Tract Wildfire Risk | minimalMinimal | N/A |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 9%Cable: 86% | Fiber: 6%Cable: 86% |
| Demographics | ||
| Median Age | 39.5 years | 34 years |
| College Educated | 48% | 50% |
| Remote Workers | 19% | 11% |
| Nature Access | ||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | ||
Plan a first lookWays to plan a first visit or connect with a relevant local partner. | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Bend | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Missoula |
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