Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Fargo?

Fargo, 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 Bozeman than in Fargo?

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

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Fargo?

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

Bozeman vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Fargo

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,360 in Bozeman, MT versus $960 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 17% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$671

+37% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$804

+34% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$956

+37% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,368

+33% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$269,800

+56% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$66,029

+17% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$51,050

+7% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

32.2 yr

+3.6 yr in Fargo, ND

Homeownership

44.6%

44.1%

+0.5 pp in Bozeman, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

43.2%

+21.9 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

15.8 min

+0.4 min in Fargo, ND

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

504.9

+12% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

1,808.3

3,726.4

+106% in Fargo, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

45.3°F

42.4°F

+2.9°F in Bozeman, MT

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

22.6 in

+8.6 in in Fargo, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Bozeman, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

14.1

+7% in Bozeman, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$18.21

+80% in Fargo, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Bozeman, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Bozeman, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / ND)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

2.50%

+3.2 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Fargo?: Fargo, 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 Bozeman than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Fargo?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).