Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Spokane?

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

Bozeman vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 18% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$884

+17% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$903

+26% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$1,192

+22% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,442

+30% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$326,200

+47% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$65,745

+18% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$54,660

+0% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

37.2 yr

+8.6 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

44.6%

58.3%

+13.7 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

32.6%

+32.5 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

21.2 min

+5.8 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

683.6

+52% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,808.3

4,931.8

+173% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+3.6°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

17.8 in

+3.8 in in Spokane, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$5.26/gal

+23% in Spokane, WA

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

14.9

+2% in Bozeman, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$21.34

+111% in Spokane, WA

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 / WA)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

None

+5.7 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Spokane?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax 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).