Living Cost Compare
Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

vs
Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $1,360 in Bozeman, MT. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $79,903 in Bozeman, MT — about 2% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Boise, ID
Bozeman, MT

Rent

Studio
$1,021
$1,064
+4% in Bozeman, MT
1 Bedroom
$1,133
$1,214
+7% in Bozeman, MT
2 Bedroom
$1,342
$1,528
+14% in Bozeman, MT
3 Bedroom
$1,749
$2,057
+18% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$456,000
$614,900
+35% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income
$81,308
$79,903
+2% in Boise, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$54,830
+12% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
28.6 yr
+9.6 yr in Boise, ID
Homeownership
63.0%
44.6%
+18.4 pp in Boise, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.6%
65.1%
+18.5 pp in Bozeman, MT
Avg Commute
19.1 min
15.4 min
+3.7 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
301
451.2
+50% in Bozeman, MT
Property Crime
1,135.1
1,808.3
+59% in Bozeman, MT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
45.3°F
+7.2°F in Boise, ID
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
14.0 in
+2.3 in in Bozeman, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$4.27/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
15.1
+5% in Bozeman, MT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$10.12
+11% in Boise, ID

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.82
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$2.04
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$7.36
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.01
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MT)
6%
None
+6.0 pp in ID
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
5.65%
+0.4 pp in MT

Boise vs Bozeman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Bozeman?
Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Bozeman?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $49,000 in Bozeman.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Bozeman?
Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).