City Comparison · 2026
Missoula vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Missoula = $180k in Los Angeles
Metric
Missoula
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓0.98
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,200/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,500/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
MT
CA
$100k Take-Home
$72,406
✓$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
27.59%
✓26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$58,006
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Missoula MT | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,618 $3,885/mo · 22.3% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,406 $6,034/mo · 27.59% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,573 $8,631/mo · 30.95% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missoula or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Missoula has a cost-of-living index of 0.98 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Missoula is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Missoula is $1,200/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Missoula?
$100k in Missoula = $180k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 79.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Missoula or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,406 in MT (Missoula) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $58,006 in Missoula vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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