Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Overland Park?

Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Overland Park?

Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Bozeman vs Overland Park Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Bozeman, MT is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 23% higher in Overland Park, KS. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$1,270

+19% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,224

+1% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$1,589

+4% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,828

+11% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$384,400

+37% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$103,838

+30% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$50,820

+7% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

38.6 yr

+10.0 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

44.6%

61.5%

+16.9 pp in Overland Park, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

62.9%

+2.2 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

19.9 min

+4.5 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

188.4

+58% in Bozeman, MT

Property Crime

1,808.3

1,790.5

+1% 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

45.3°F

55.2°F

+9.9°F in Overland Park, KS

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

40.0 in

+26.0 in in Overland Park, KS

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

15.7

+4% in Overland Park, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$25.12

+148% in Overland Park, KS

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 Overland Park, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Overland Park, KS

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 / KS)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

5.58%

+0.1 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Overland Park?: Bozeman, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Overland Park?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Overland Park?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).