16 Pros and Cons of Living in Missoula, MT

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Missoula, Montana is one of the best places to live if you’re looking for tranquility.

It’s well-known for its amazing landscape.

It’s a beautiful city that has a lot to offer.

Missoula offers great food, a strong community spirit, and much more.

However, they also have a low population and a high crime rate.

So, before you take the leap, this guide will provide you with both the pros and cons of living in Missoula to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of Living in Missoula, MT

Here is a list of the benefits of living in Missoula, MT.

1. Practical Cost of Living

Compared to the national average, Missoula has a fairly low cost of living.

For a single individual looking to rent, you can expect to pay about $1,766 in rent.

But, housing can be quite pricey in Missoula.

The average price of a home here is $574,769.

So, if you are considering renting versus owning, you will find that it’s affordable.

However, if you plan on owning a home, get ready for expensive housing costs.

2. Thriving Job Market

Another pro of living in Missoula, MT is the strong job market that exists here.

You can bet that it will be relatively easy to find a job in Missoula.

Whether you are providing for just yourself or your family, you can rely on the job market.

Additionally, there are several major corporate offices located in Missoula such as O’Reilly Auto Parts, EW Scripps, Payne West, and several others.

3. The City Is Bike-Friendly

If you are an avid biker, you’ll be happy to know that Missoula is truly a bike-friendly city.

Missoula has a high bike score.

This means that residents living here can easily get around to different areas of town without relying on a vehicle.

The bike paths in Missoula are flexible and provide bikers with plenty of alternative routes to access Downtown Missoula and surrounding areas.

Furthermore, Missoula offers bicycle groups such as Missoulians on Bicycles and FreeCycles.

These groups promote the use of bicycles in and around the city.

4. Excellent Schools

Another pro of living in Missoula is being able to take advantage of the excellent school system here.

Some of the best public schools in the entire state of Montana are located in Missoula.

There’s a high number of students, graduates, and a good number of teachers.

Furthermore, Montana State University and the University of Montana are great options for those seeking undergraduate studies.

5. Plenty of Outdoor Activities

Missoula is infamous for its beautiful scenery and landscape.

Missoula is full of beautiful rivers, lakes, flora and fauna, and much more.

Missoula offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreational activities.

Garnet Ghost Town is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Missoula.

Whether you enjoy biking, hiking, running, or walking, you will find ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

6. Stunning Arts/Culture Scene

Missoula, MT is a town full of arts and culture.

If you are creative at heart, you will love the community support you receive here.

There are various theaters, art galleries, music venues, and much more in Missoula.

Furthermore, you can benefit from a wonderful performing arts scene, where they host various shows ranging from live music to theater.

7. Community Involvement

Missoula has a strong sense of community involvement.

Everyone here participates in local events and several other things that Missoula hosts.

There are many community gatherings that frequently take place in Missoula including festivals within the neighborhood, farmers’ markets, and much more.

These events are important because they support local businesses and give residents a chance to socialize.

Furthermore, Missoula has a few community clubs and organizations that bring individuals with hobbies together such as hiking, volunteering, and several others.

8. Great Food

Not only does Missoula have good food, but there’s plenty of high-quality food here.

Missoula Farmers’ Market is known for being a huge source of some of the finest food around.

Most of the vendors at the farmers’ market are neighborhood farmers.

This means that you can count on fresh products including honey, dairy, meat, and eggs.

The markets here also have some other great products available.

Cons of Living in Missoula, MT

Here is a list of the disadvantages of living in Missoula, MT

1. Dangerous Wildlife

It’s very common to come in contact with wildlife while living in Missoula.

Most of the wildlife are harmless such as cranes or birds.

However, it’s possible to spot several dangerous animals such as rattlesnakes and bears.

This is because the environment is perfect for different wildlife to thrive.

There are over a hundred different species of wild animals that live in Missoula.

So, it’s possible you may find yourself in a face-to-face encounter with one.

While living here, you should always take proper precautions.

2. Tough Weather

While you will get to enjoy all four seasons in Missoula, some of the weather you experience can be harsh.

For example, from spring to fall, you can expect to see some pretty strong thunderstorms.

During the summer, temperatures can reach well over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The only exception is for those who live in the mountains.

Furthermore, the winter months can bring frigid temperatures below 19 degrees Fahrenheit.

No matter what season it is in Missoula, you should always be prepared.

3. Housing Is Hard to Find

Being able to find the perfect home in Missoula can present its own set of challenges.

If you are considering moving here, it’s important that you also have a backup plan such as a rental.

It can be very hard for both singles and families to find housing that matches their budget, no matter where you are in Montana.

Since there is a shortage of affordable housing in Missoula, more than 83% of people commute to and from work from outside the city.

4. High Crime Rate

Unfortunately, the crime rates in Missoula are some of the worst in the entire country.

In Missoula, the chances of you becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 191.

You also have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime.

Knowing this, it’s essential that you take the proper precautions to ensure that you, your family, and your personal belongings are safe.

5. Lacks Diversity

Another downside of living in Missoula, MT is the lack of diversity.

If you are looking to move to a town that has plenty of culture and diversity, you won’t find it here.

According to a recent census, the racial makeup of Missoula is:

• 88.8% White (Non-Hispanic)
• 0.6 Black or African American
• 2.0% American Indian and Alaska Native
• 1.7% Asian

6. High Housing Costs

Not only is it hard to find good housing in Missoula, but the prices are relatively high.

The average sales price of a home in Missoula is $525,000.

This is a sharp 16% increase from 2022 when the average cost was $520,000.

As mentioned earlier, the high housing prices are due to a lack of options.

If your heart is really set on living here, and you can comfortably afford the cost of housing in Missoula, it can very well be a good match.

7. Lacks Public Transit

Missoula has a low transit score.

This could be a huge disappointment for many.

Missoula doesn’t have the best public transportation service.

The main source of public transit in Missoula is the Mountain Line.

This is a bus service that services the majority of the city with a nice selection of routes and schedules.

But, outside of Mountain Line, Missoula doesn’t have very many options.

Most of the routes are limited and do not service the surrounding suburbs.

8. A lot of Ranches/Farms

Many people living in Missoula don’t mind the fact that the city is full of farms and ranches.

However, this could be an issue for others considering moving here.

Missoula has a huge cow population.

In fact, the number of cows present in Missoula is much higher than the number of people living here.

There are approximately 30,000 farms and ranches in Montana.

Pros and Cons of Living in Missoula, MT – Summary Table

Missoula Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Missoula Safety Review

Safety Index:

61

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM