Is radon high in Missoula, Montana?

Moderate. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across Missoula (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 2.9 pCi/L - about 1.6× the US average of 1.8 and close to the Montana average of 3.1. That is in the 2-4 pCi/L range where the EPA says to consider fixing. Missoula ranks 2 of 4 Montana cities on this site.

Which Missoula ZIP codes have the highest radon?

Predictions for the 5 modeled ZIP codes in Missoula range from 2.7 to 4.3 pCi/L in the basement. 20% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 100% at or above 2. That spread is why the ZIP table below matters more than the city-wide number.

Should I test for radon in Missoula?

Yes, soon. With a predicted basement average of 2.9 pCi/L and ZIPs predicted as high as 4.3, a meaningful share of Missoula homes will test above the 4 pCi/L action level. Start with a short-term kit; if it reads 2 or higher, confirm with a long-term test or a continuous monitor before paying for mitigation.

What does EPA Radon Zone 1 mean for Missoula?

Missoula sits mainly in Missoula County, which the EPA classifies as Zone 1 - highest potential (predicted average > 4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The newer model's city average of 2.9 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 1, which is common - the EPA itself says high-radon homes exist in every zone. Neither replaces a test of your own home.

Radon levels in Missoula, Montana

ModerateEPA Zone 1

Predicted long-term basement average of 2.9 pCi/L (model estimate) across the 5 modeled ZIP codes in Missoula - about 1.6× the US average of 1.8, close to the Montana average of 3.1. Ranked #2 of 4 Montana cities on this site. Most of the city lies in Missoula County.

Test Missoula, MT - the EPA says "consider fixing" in this range

The predicted basement average here is 2.9 pCi/L, in the 2-4 pCi/L band where the EPA recommends considering mitigation. Plenty of individual homes in a moderate area test above 4. Start with a short-term test; if it comes back at 2 or higher, follow up with a long-term test or a continuous monitor.

Get a short-term test kit →Or track it with a continuous monitor

Already tested at 4 pCi/L or higher? Find a certified mitigation professional (EPA). A mitigation system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed.

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Predicted (model estimate). The pCi/L figures on this page are long-term area averages from a peer-reviewed national model built on millions of real radon tests (2001-2021). They describe the typical home in this area - not your home, which can be several times higher or lower. The EPA radon zone is a separate, 1993 county-level classification. How the numbers work.

2.9 ± 0.09

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

2.3 ± 0.09

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

2.7-4.3

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the city

20%

of Missoula ZIPs predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L (100% ≥ 2)

What this means for Missoula

The typical Missoula home is predicted in the 2-4 pCi/L band. The EPA's guidance for this range is to consider fixing, because there is no known safe level and a meaningful minority of homes in a moderate area will test above 4.

The city figure is not a separate estimate: it is the mean of the model's ZIP-code predictions, weighted by the share of the city's land in each ZIP (Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place relationship file). Note that the EPA classifies Missoula County as Zone 1 while the newer model predicts 2.9 pCi/L for Missoula; where they disagree, we grade on the model but show both.

Comparable Montana cities: Billings (2.9), Great Falls (2.5), Bozeman (2.3), Boise (2.4).

ZIP codes in Missoula

ZIPs that overlap the city, largest share of its land first. Predicted basement and upstairs means are model estimates; ZIPs the model does not cover show a dash.

ZIP	Share of city	Basement	Upstairs	Grade
59808	29%	2.7 ± 0.08	2.2	Moderate
59802	29%	2.9 ± 0.10	2.3	Moderate
59801	22%	2.9 ± 0.09	1.7	Moderate
59803	15%	3.1 ± 0.07	2.6	Moderate
59804	4%	4.3 ± 0.09	3.4	High
59812	1%	—	—	no model

Testing help in Montana

Montana's radon program page is at deq.mt.gov and, when we checked it, offered free short-term kits for child-care providers through the Choose Safe Places program. EPA state radon contacts page. If a test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher, mitigation typically costs $800-$2,500 installed; use EPA find-a-professional and read the mitigation guide.

Missoula radon questions

Is radon high in Missoula, Montana?: Moderate. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across Missoula (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 2.9 pCi/L - about 1.6× the US average of 1.8 and close to the Montana average of 3.1. That is in the 2-4 pCi/L range where the EPA says to consider fixing. Missoula ranks 2 of 4 Montana cities on this site.
Which Missoula ZIP codes have the highest radon?: Predictions for the 5 modeled ZIP codes in Missoula range from 2.7 to 4.3 pCi/L in the basement. 20% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 100% at or above 2. That spread is why the ZIP table below matters more than the city-wide number.
Should I test for radon in Missoula?: Yes, soon. With a predicted basement average of 2.9 pCi/L and ZIPs predicted as high as 4.3, a meaningful share of Missoula homes will test above the 4 pCi/L action level. Start with a short-term kit; if it reads 2 or higher, confirm with a long-term test or a continuous monitor before paying for mitigation.
What does EPA Radon Zone 1 mean for Missoula?: Missoula sits mainly in Missoula County, which the EPA classifies as Zone 1 - highest potential (predicted average > 4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The newer model's city average of 2.9 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 1, which is common - the EPA itself says high-radon homes exist in every zone. Neither replaces a test of your own home.

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