Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Bozeman?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $49,000 in Bozeman.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Bozeman?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Bozeman under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Bozeman Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/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 $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,360 in Bozeman, MT. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $79,903 in Bozeman, MT — about 3% higher in Bozeman, MT. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Bozeman, MT

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,064

+47% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,214

+51% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,528

+54% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$2,057

+45% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$614,900

+111% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$79,903

+3% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$54,830

+4% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

28.6 yr

+9.6 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

44.6%

+21.2 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

65.1%

+26.4 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.5 min

15.4 min

+0.1 min in Bismarck, ND

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

451.2

+62% in Bozeman, MT

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,808.3

+25% in Bismarck, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

45.3°F

+2.3°F in Bozeman, MT

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

14.0 in

+3.9 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Bozeman, MT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.1

+7% in Bozeman, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$10.12

+44% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Bozeman, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Bozeman, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MT)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.65%

+3.2 pp in MT

Bismarck vs Bozeman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Bozeman?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Bozeman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $49,000 in Bozeman.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Bozeman?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).