Moving in or out mid-month in Missoula? Enter your monthly rent and date to calculate exactly what you owe for a partial month, with Montana deposit and notice rules for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Prorated rent is what you pay for a partial month when you move in or out on a day other than the first. With average Missoula rent near $1,200/month, the standard method divides monthly rent by the days in the month and multiplies by days occupied. Montana sets no cap on security deposits, but the landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out (or 10 days if there are no deductions). A 30-day written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy.
| Rule (Montana) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $1,200/month |
| Average 2-bedroom rent | $1,500/month |
| Security deposit limit | no statutory cap (set by lease) |
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days (10 days if no deductions) after move-out |
| Month-to-month notice | 30 days written notice |
| Standard proration formula | Rent ÷ days in month × days occupied |
Example: rent is $1,200, move-in is the 10th of a 30-day month, so 21 days remain. Prorated rent is ($1,200 ÷ 30) × 21 = $840.
Missoula is home to the University of Montana and sits at the confluence of five mountain valleys, with an economy built on higher education, healthcare, technology and the outdoor-recreation industry, and a lively arts and brewing culture.
| Local Metric | Missoula (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 75,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Missoula County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 99 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $10.55/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,200/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,500/month |
| Median home price | $480,000 |
| Median household income | $58,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
Divide your monthly rent by the number of days in the move-in month, then multiply by the days you occupy the unit. For example, $1,200 rent divided by 30 days times 15 days occupied is $600. Use the calculator above for your dates.
Average rent in Missoula is about $1,200/month for a 1-bedroom and $1,500 for a 2-bedroom, which is why getting proration right matters when you move mid-month.
In Montana the security deposit limit is no statutory cap (set by lease). The deposit must be returned within 30 days (10 days if no deductions) of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Montana sets no cap on security deposits, but the landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 30 days of move-out (or 10 days if there are no deductions). A 30-day written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy.
In Montana, 30 days of written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy, though your lease may require more. Notice timing also affects your final prorated rent.
There is no statute mandating a specific proration method in Montana, but most landlords prorate as standard practice. Confirm the method in writing in your lease before signing to avoid disputes.