Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Houston?

They're close. Bozeman, MT runs about $1,360 a month and Houston, TX about $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Houston?

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

Bozeman vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/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 $1,360 in Houston, TX. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 21% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$1,142

+7% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,156

+5% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$1,375

+10% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,664

+19% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$253,400

+59% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$62,894

+21% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$49,410

+10% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

34.3 yr

+5.7 yr in Houston, TX

Homeownership

44.6%

42.0%

+2.6 pp in Bozeman, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

36.0%

+29.1 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

27.3 min

+11.9 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

1,153.8

+156% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

1,808.3

4,324.9

+139% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+25.0°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

54.6 in

+40.7 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.52/gal

+17% in Bozeman, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Houston METRO (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

15.9

+5% in Houston, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$31.89

+215% in Houston, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Bozeman, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Houston, TX

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Bozeman, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Bozeman, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / TX)

None

6.25%

+6.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

None

+5.7 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Houston?: They're close. Bozeman, MT runs about $1,360 a month and Houston, TX about $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Houston?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).