Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Bozeman?

Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $49,000 in Bozeman.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Bozeman?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bozeman under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Bozeman Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/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 $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,360 in Bozeman, MT. Overall, Bozeman, MT is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $79,903 in Bozeman, MT — about 2% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Bozeman, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,064

+36% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,214

+23% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,528

+10% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$2,057

+32% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$614,900

+46% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$79,903

+2% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$54,830

+7% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

28.6 yr

+5.4 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

44.6%

+1.7 pp in Atlanta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

65.1%

+6.7 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

26.8 min

15.4 min

+11.4 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

451.2

+25% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,808.3

+49% in Atlanta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

45.3°F

+17.3°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

14.0 in

+35.7 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Bozeman, MT

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.1

+7% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$10.12

+74% in Atlanta, GA

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 Atlanta, GA

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 (GA / MT)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.65%

+0.5 pp in MT

Atlanta vs Bozeman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Bozeman?: Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Bozeman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $49,000 in Bozeman.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Bozeman?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).