Home addition cost in Missoula, MT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $38,300 – $77,500
- Per sq ft
- $126 – $252
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #113
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a home addition in Missoula, plan on $38,300 to $77,500 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $126 to $252 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $27.48 an hour in the Missoula area, 6% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your home addition cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Missoula, MT, standard level
$50,000 to $65,700
About $164 to $214 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 68% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $34,100 | $44,600 |
| Permits and fees | $920 | $1,500 |
| Total | $50,000 | $65,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Missoula, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,500 | $17,300 | $23,000 | 30% |
| Labor | $26,300 | $39,400 | $52,500 | 68% |
| Permits and fees | $480 | $1,200 | $1,950 | 2% |
| Total | $38,300 | $57,900 | $77,500 | 100% |
Where the Missoula price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 50%, cement masons and concrete finishers at 10%, electricians at 10%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, roofers at 10%. Weighted together, Missoula wages are 1.03 times the national level. Labor makes up about 68% of the midpoint estimate (67% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Missoula metro is 96.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $17,300, compared with $18,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.4) and land at $480 to $1,950.
Climate in Missoula: timing your home addition job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Missoula Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Missoula (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, October, November and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 173 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Missoula gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.8 inches. The station averages about 27 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 18 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 21 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 27 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 32 | 1.4 | Cold |
| May | 66 | 40 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 73 | 46 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 50 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 42 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 32 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 18 | 1.1 | Cold |
Home addition: what moves the price in Missoula
Plumbing and fixtures
Adding a bathroom or kitchen drives the price up the most.
Permits
Construction permits run $500-$2,000, or $5-$21 per $1,000 of project cost (HomeGuide).
Foundation
A foundation, framing, roofing and matching exterior finishes all have to be built before the interior work starts.
Pick a size, pick a tier: home addition pricing in Missoula
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Missoula wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$38,300 to $54,000
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$50,000 to $65,700
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$61,800 to $77,500
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $13,100 – $18,700 | $17,300 – $22,900 | $21,500 – $27,100 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $50,900 – $71,600 | $66,400 – $87,100 | $81,900 – $102,500 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $76,000 – $107,000 | $99,100 – $130,000 | $122,000 – $153,000 |
Planning more than one job in Missoula?
Because every project leans on different trades, Missoula's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, roof replacement runs +5% and kitchen remodel −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,100 – $30,800 | −2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,000 | +3% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,900 – $58,000 | level |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,550 – $13,100 | +5% |
Missoula labor market for home addition
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Missoula is 1.03 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $27.48 an hour, which is 6% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.35 and $30.07 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 59.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.59 an hour, which is 8% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.48 and $31.81 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 14.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $38.10 an hour, 25% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.89 and $38.51 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 41.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $38.34 an hour, which is 25% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.19 and $46.77 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 43.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.67 an hour, 13% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $29.49 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 7.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.96 an hour, which is 12% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.78 and $32.14 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 8.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.07 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,700. At the 25th percentile ($23.35) it shrinks by about $2,700. The total moves by 2.9% or 4.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 67,070 jobs in the Missoula area. That makes it the 270th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $23.35 | $27.48 | $30.07 | $29.12 | 0.94 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $27.48 | $29.59 | $31.81 | $27.41 | 1.08 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $29.89 | $38.10 | $38.51 | $30.38 | 1.25 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.19 | $38.34 | $46.77 | $30.67 | 1.25 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.13 | $24.67 | $29.49 | $28.33 | 0.87 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.78 | $29.96 | $32.14 | $26.65 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
How Missoula compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Missoula. Idaho Falls is the lowest at about $52,200 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 255 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MTthis page | $38,300 – $77,500 | $57,900 | |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID120 miles | $35,700 – $72,300 | $54,000 | −7% |
| Spokane, WA175 miles | $41,500 – $84,000 | $62,700 | +8% |
| Bozeman, MT185 miles | $40,000 – $81,000 | $60,500 | +5% |
| Kennewick, WA240 miles | $43,500 – $88,100 | $65,800 | +14% |
| Idaho Falls, ID255 miles | $34,500 – $69,900 | $52,200 | −10% |
| Montana (statewide) | $38,700 – $78,400 | $58,600 | +1% |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Missoula comes in at #113 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $79,600; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $44,300 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Missoula is 1% below the Montana figure.
Other Montana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $38,700 – $78,400 | $58,600 | +1% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $40,000 – $81,000 | $60,500 | +5% |
Cities with a workforce like Missoula's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Missoula against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $36,500 – $74,000 | $55,300 | −5% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $33,700 – $68,400 | $51,100 | −12% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $34,400 – $69,600 | $52,000 | −10% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $35,600 – $72,200 | $53,900 | −7% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Home addition in Missoula: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Missoula?
For 300 sq ft, expect $38,300 to $77,500 in the Missoula area. A standard-spec job lands at $50,000 to $65,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Missoula?
About $126 to $252 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $480 to $1,950 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Missoula or Coeur d'Alene?
Coeur d'Alene is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $54,000, which is 7% less than Missoula ($57,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Missoula?
About 68% at the midpoint, or $39,400 out of $57,900. Materials are 30% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Missoula?
$50,900 to $102,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Missoula?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $480 to $1,950 for fees in the Missoula area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Missoula expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Montana?
Missoula is 1% below the Montana statewide estimate ($58,600 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Missoula?
The BLS median is $27.48 an hour in the Missoula area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.35 to $30.07.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Missoula?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $38,300 to $54,000 and premium work $61,800 to $77,500. Basic means: bump-out or simple room without plumbing. Premium means: large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation.
+When is the best time to build a home addition in Missoula?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July and August are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Home addition near Missoula
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Home Addition Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 32% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Structural' category split (56% labor, 32% materials, 11% permits and design). It is a category average rather than an addition-specific figure.