Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Shreveport?

Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $34,000 in Shreveport.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Shreveport?

Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Bozeman vs Shreveport Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Shreveport

Louisiana

$990/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 $990 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 39% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$756

+29% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$843

+31% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$978

+36% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,136

+45% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$178,100

+71% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$48,465

+39% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$44,820

+18% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

37.5 yr

+8.9 yr in Shreveport, LA

Homeownership

44.6%

53.8%

+9.2 pp in Shreveport, LA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

27.5%

+37.6 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

19.0 min

+3.6 min in Shreveport, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

1,235.4

+174% in Shreveport, LA

Property Crime

1,808.3

4,048.2

+124% in Shreveport, LA

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

65.5°F

+20.2°F in Shreveport, LA

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

51.0 in

+37.0 in in Shreveport, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Bozeman, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

13.5

+11% in Bozeman, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$16.62

+64% in Shreveport, LA

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 Shreveport, LA

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 / LA)

None

+5.0 pp in LA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

3.00%

+2.7 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Shreveport?: Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Shreveport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $34,000 in Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Shreveport?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% 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).