Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Springfield?

Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Bozeman vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$970/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 $970 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 42% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$760

+29% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$772

+36% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$926

+39% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,158

+44% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$165,200

+73% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$45,984

+42% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$45,780

+17% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

33.6 yr

+5.0 yr in Springfield, MO

Homeownership

44.6%

42.9%

+1.7 pp in Bozeman, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

30.3%

+34.8 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

18.0 min

+2.6 min in Springfield, MO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

1,189.8

+164% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

1,808.3

4,231.6

+134% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+11.0°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

45.6 in

+31.6 in in Springfield, MO

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

16.2

+7% in Springfield, MO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$28.78

+184% in Springfield, MO

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 Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

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 / MO)

None

4.225%

+4.2 pp in MO

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.70%

+1.0 pp in MT

Bozeman vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Springfield?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).