Salary Needed to Live in Missoula as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $58,267/year to live comfortably in Missoula, MT, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $58,267/year to live comfortably in Missoula, MT. The bare-minimum salary is $50,285/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,453.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,059/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,856/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$58,267
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$50,285
$4,190/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,059
14% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Missoula
| Expense | Missoula | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $832 | $1,351 | -38% |
| Groceries | $305 | $207 | +47% |
| Utilities | $126 | $169 | -25% |
| Transportation | $359 | $316 | +14% |
| Car Insurance | $170 | $215 | -21% |
| Health Insurance | $570 | $642 | -11% |
| Internet | $70 | $65 | +8% |
| Phone | $92 | $85 | +8% |
| Dining & Social | $324 | $300 | +8% |
| Entertainment | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Personal Care | $81 | $75 | +8% |
| Total Monthly | $3,059 | $3,545 | -14% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,059
Target savings (10%):$394/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,453
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$58,267
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$832
Studio/1BR rent is 27% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus MT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$394/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
108/100
Missoula is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $832/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $697/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $50,285/year as the survival floor and $58,267/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Missoula
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Missoula?
A single person needs approximately $58,267/year ($4,856/month gross) to live comfortably in Missoula with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Missoula?
A studio/1br in Missoula costs approximately $832/month, which is the largest single expense at 27% of the total budget.
Is Missoula affordable for a single person?
Yes, Missoula is 14% more affordable than the national average for a single person.