Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or New Haven?

Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or New Haven?

Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Bozeman vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/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 $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Bozeman, MT is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 33% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$1,159

+9% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,275

+5% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$1,473

+4% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,636

+20% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$249,000

+60% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$53,771

+33% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$60,060

+10% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

31.9 yr

+3.3 yr in New Haven, CT

Homeownership

44.6%

28.4%

+16.2 pp in Bozeman, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

37.7%

+27.4 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

21.0 min

+5.6 min in New Haven, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

536.3

+19% in New Haven, CT

Property Crime

1,808.3

3,601.6

+99% in New Haven, CT

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

52.2°F

+6.9°F in New Haven, CT

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

47.1 in

+33.1 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Bozeman, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

24.3

+61% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$23.33

+131% in New Haven, CT

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

$1.92

+6% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / CT)

None

6.35%

+6.3 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

6.99%

+1.3 pp in CT

Bozeman vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or New Haven?: Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or New Haven?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).