Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Bozeman?

Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $49,000 in Bozeman.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Bozeman?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Bozeman under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Boston vs Bozeman Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,360 in Bozeman, MT. Overall, Bozeman, MT is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $79,903 in Bozeman, MT — about 16% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Bozeman, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$1,064

+44% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$1,214

+39% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,528

+29% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$2,057

+8% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$614,900

+13% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$79,903

+16% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$54,830

+18% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

28.6 yr

+4.6 yr in Boston, MA

Homeownership

35.4%

44.6%

+9.2 pp in Bozeman, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

65.1%

+11.0 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

30.2 min

15.4 min

+14.8 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

451.2

+28% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

1,808.3

+11% in Boston, MA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

45.3°F

+6.2°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

14.0 in

+29.8 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$4.27/gal

+5% in Bozeman, MT

Area: Massachusetts vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.1

+49% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$10.12

+67% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Bozeman, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / MT)

6.25%

None

+6.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

5.65%

+3.3 pp in MA

Boston vs Bozeman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Bozeman?: Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Bozeman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $49,000 in Bozeman.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Bozeman?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).