Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Bozeman?

Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $49,000 in Bozeman.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Bozeman?

Neither — both are in Montana, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Billings vs Bozeman Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,040/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 $1,040 in Billings, MT versus $1,360 in Bozeman, MT. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $79,903 in Bozeman, MT — about 10% higher in Bozeman, MT. Both cities are in Montana, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Bozeman, MT

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,064

+21% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,214

+37% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$1,528

+39% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$2,057

+47% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$614,900

+97% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$79,903

+11% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$54,830

+12% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

28.6 yr

+9.5 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

44.6%

+20.2 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

65.1%

+28.1 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

15.4 min

+1.3 min in Billings, MT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

451.2

+40% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

1,808.3

+42% in Billings, MT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

48.2°F

45.3°F

+2.9°F in Billings, MT

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

14.0 in

+0.3 in in Bozeman, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

about equal

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

about equal

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

about equal

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / MT)

None

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

about equal

Billings vs Bozeman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Bozeman?: Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Bozeman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $49,000 in Bozeman.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Bozeman?: Neither — both are in Montana, so they share the same state tax rates: 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).