Billings, MT vs Bozeman, MT

The cost of living difference between Billings, MT and Bozeman, MT is dramatic. Billings is 32.5% cheaper than Bozeman, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Billings has a cost index of 90 while Bozeman sits at 134, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Billings is $1,097/month compared to $1,611/month in Bozeman — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Billings is more affordable at $311,800 median vs $614,900.

Median household income in Billings is $71,855 compared to $79,903 in Bozeman (-10.1%). Bozeman does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Billings spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Bozeman.