$40K in Missoula = $35,876 in Detroit
Your $40K salary in Missoula (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $35,876 in Detroit (COL 87). Detroit is cheaper — your money goes 10% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Missoula $40K | Detroit $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,502 | $2,592 |
| 1BR rent | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $376 | $369 |
| Transport | $45 | $65 |
| Utilities | $145 | $175 |
| Internet | $68 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $568/month | $723/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Missoula equivalent to in Detroit?
$40K in Missoula (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $35,876 in Detroit (COL index 87). That's 10% less than your current salary.
If I move from Missoula to Detroit keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Detroit, you'd have $155 more per month after core expenses — because Detroit is cheaper than Missoula.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (87 ÷ 97) = $35,876. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Missoula to Detroit
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only