Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in Missoula, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.3% of gross income.
Missoula rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Montana cities have lower median rent than Missoula, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Missoula
View full rent data for Missoula, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in Missoula, MT?
Median rent in Missoula is $1,550 a month. A typical truck driver in Montana earns about $49,905 a year, which makes that rent 37.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in Missoula?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Montana (~$49,905/yr) supports up to $1,248 a month in rent. Missoula's current median rent is $1,550/mo, which is $302/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in Missoula?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a truck driver in Montana works roughly 64.6 hours a month to cover Missoula's median rent of $1,550.
Where is rent cheaper than Missoula for a truck driver?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,491/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.