Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Bozeman?

Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Bozeman?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $49,000 in Bozeman.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Bozeman?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Bozeman under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Bozeman Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,360 in Bozeman, MT. Overall, Bozeman, MT is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $79,903 in Bozeman, MT — about 23% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Bozeman, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,064

+14% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,214

+24% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,528

+18% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$2,057

+8% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$614,900

+21% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$79,903

+23% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$54,830

+7% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

28.6 yr

+12.3 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

44.6%

+15.2 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

65.1%

+11.4 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

28.7 min

15.4 min

+13.3 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

451.2

+44% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,808.3

+14% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

45.3°F

+11.8°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

14.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Bozeman, MT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.1

+31% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$10.12

+55% in Annapolis, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Bozeman, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Bozeman, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Bozeman, MT

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / MT)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.65%

+0.8 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Bozeman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Bozeman?: Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Bozeman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $49,000 in Bozeman.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Bozeman?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Bozeman under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).