Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Provo?

Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Bozeman vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 21% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$1,009

+5% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$978

+19% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$1,128

+26% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,381

+33% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$437,100

+29% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$62,800

+21% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$48,010

+12% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

23.7 yr

+4.9 yr in Bozeman, MT

Homeownership

44.6%

39.9%

+4.7 pp in Bozeman, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

45.0%

+20.1 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

18.5 min

+3.1 min in Provo, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

205.7

+54% in Bozeman, MT

Property Crime

1,808.3

1,280.6

+29% 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

53.4°F

+8.1°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

19.8 in

+5.8 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

13.4

+12% in Bozeman, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$11.84

+17% in Provo, UT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / UT)

None

6.1%

+6.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.50%

+1.2 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Provo?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).