City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Missoula, MT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Missoula - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

75,600
Residents
$65,329
Median income
$427,400
Median home
$1,655
Median rent (state)

Missoula - the verdict

Nationally, Missoula sits in the 43rd percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

43rd
percentile, household income
80th
percentile, home value
65th
percentile, median rent
6th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Missoula, MT

Montana's Missoula is a small city, with 75,600 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Missoula brings in $65,329 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.1%. Home values in Missoula run a median of $427,400, and the median resident age is 34.3 years. About 51.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 544 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 22% from five years earlier. Missoula's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4226.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 45.2°F with 14.1 inches of precipitation per year and 43.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Montana scores 94.6 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,655 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

75,600 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$65,329 /yr

Poverty 6.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Missoula compare to other US cities?

Here's how Missoula stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 80% pricier than other cities
Median rent 65% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Montana, Missoula ranks #37 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Missoula's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Montana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

43rdIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

43rd percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Missoula's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Missoula's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 26 Avg. percentile National median
Missoula's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Missoula's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$427,400 20th percentile more affordable than 20% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Missoula $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Missoula, MT Missoula, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Missoula, MT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Missoula, MT median $65,329/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Missoula, MT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Missoula, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 51.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
75,600
Median Income
$65,329
Median Home Value
$427,400
Median Age
34.3
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Labor force participation
69.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
51.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4226.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
596.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3629.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.2°F
Annual Precipitation
14.1"
Annual Snowfall
43.0"

Schools

Total Schools
23
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
74,000 residents76,000 residents78,000 residents80,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 74,449 residents 78,903 residents ▲ +6.0%
Missoula's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
544
housing units authorized
Single-Family
189
detached homes
Multifamily
355
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 445
2020 547
2021 1,556
2022 858
2023 438
2024 544

Permit volume increased 22% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
67.5%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
2.0%
Walk
4.3%
Work from Home
13.7%
Other
4.7%

Based on 43,542 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Montana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$80
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$175
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Montana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Montana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Missoula sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,655/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Great Falls
60,412 people
Bozeman
55,042 people
Butte-Silver Bow (balance)
34,929 people
Helena
33,126 people
Billings
118,321 people
Kalispell
26,830 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Missoula's 75,600 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Redmond, WA
75,721 people
Apple Valley, CA
75,478 people
Mansfield, TX
75,398 people
Pittsburg, CA
75,868 people
Pawtucket, RI
75,280 people
Daytona Beach, FL
75,924 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Missoula's $65,329 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Enochville, NC
$65,328 median income
Easley, SC
$65,330 median income
Columbus, OH
$65,327 median income
Miamitown, OH
$65,326 median income
Gentry, AR
$65,325 median income
Windsor, VA
$65,321 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Missoula, MT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Missoula, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.1% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 87.1% Black or African American 0.7% Asian 1.3% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.3% Two or more races 7.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Missoula compares to nearby Montana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Missoula (this city) 75,600 $65,329
Great Falls 60,412 $63,934
Bozeman 55,042 $79,903
Butte-Silver Bow (balance) 34,929 $57,633
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Missoula, MT?

What is the population of Missoula, MT? +

75,600 people live in Missoula, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Missoula, MT? +

Missoula households earn a median of $65,329 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Missoula? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Missoula; the closest available measure is the Montana state average, a cost of living index of 94.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Montana vary by metro area.

Is Missoula, MT safe? +

Missoula has a total crime rate of 4226.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Missoula, MT? +

The median home value in Missoula is $427,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Missoula? +

Missoula has an average annual temperature of 45.2°F, 14.1 inches of precipitation, and 43.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.