Average Rent in Missoula, MT (2026)

Typical asking rent in Missoula is $1,659. Across the 4 ZIP codes with data it runs from $1,408 to $2,384, so which side of town you buy on matters as much as the city average. Data as of September 2026.

Median rent
$1,659
Average rent
$1,777
Lowest ZIP
$1,408
Highest ZIP
$2,384

Rent by ZIP code in Missoula

ZIP codeCountyTypical rentvs city median
59803Missoula County$2,384+44%
59808Missoula County$1,769+7%
59801Missoula County$1,548-7%
59802Missoula County$1,408-15%

Rent by bedroom count in Missoula

Zillow's index above blends every unit size into one number. For a bedroom level view, these are HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Missoula County. They include utilities and sit near the 40th percentile of the market, so treat them as the low side of what a typical unit lists for.

Unit sizeFY2027 Fair Market RentChange from FY2026
Studio$1,177+3.0%
1 bedroom$1,433+2.4%
2 bedroom$1,690+2.1%
3 bedroom$2,340+1.7%
4 bedroom$2,825+1.8%

Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Updates when HUD publishes a new fiscal year.

Is rent going up or down in Missoula?

Typical rent across Missoula County is $1,622 as of September 2026. That is up 2.9% from a year earlier and up 27.2% over five years.

YearTypical rent, Missoula CountyChange
2021$1,310+19.9%
2022$1,413+7.9%
2023$1,439+1.9%
2024$1,475+2.5%
2025$1,599+8.3%
2026 (through September)$1,622+1.5%

Zillow Observed Rent Index for the county, all home types, last published month of each year. Each row is compared with the end of the year before it.

Missoula rent questions

What is the average rent in Missoula, MT?
Typical asking rent in Missoula is $1,659 a month as of September 2026, across 4 ZIP codes. By ZIP code it runs from $1,408 to $2,384.
How much is rent for a 2 bedroom in Missoula?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom in Missoula County is $1,690 a month including utilities. A one bedroom is $1,433 and a three bedroom is $2,340. Fair Market Rent is set near the 40th percentile, so a typical unit lists somewhat higher.
Is rent going up or down in Missoula?
Rent is rising. Typical rent in Missoula County is $1,622 as of September 2026, up 2.9% from a year earlier.
What is the cheapest ZIP code to rent in Missoula?
ZIP 59802 has the lowest typical asking rent in Missoula at $1,408 a month, compared with $1,659 for the city overall.
How much income do you need to rent in Missoula?
Most landlords look for gross income of about three times the rent. At the typical Missoula rent of $1,659, that is about $4,977 a month, or $59,724 a year. This is a common screening rule of thumb, and individual landlords set their own.

How to use these numbers

These are Zillow Observed Rent Index values, a smoothed measure of typical asking rent for single family homes, condos, and apartments in each ZIP code. They describe what units are listed for, not what any specific unit will get. Condition, bedroom count, and the exact block all move the number.

If you are underwriting a purchase, use the ZIP figure rather than the city median, and then verify against live listings for the same bedroom count before you commit. Missoula sits in the Missoula, MT metro area.

Other Montana cities

Would a rental in Missoula cash flow?

Start the analyzer with the Missoula median rent of $1,659 and add a real purchase price to see cash flow, cap rate, and cash-on-cash return.