Bozeman, MT vs Great Falls, MT

The cost of living difference between Bozeman, MT and Great Falls, MT is dramatic. Great Falls is 70.8% cheaper than Bozeman, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bozeman has a cost index of 134 while Great Falls sits at 78, 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 Bozeman is $1,611/month compared to $866/month in Great Falls — a 86% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Great Falls is more affordable at $237,400 median vs $614,900.

Median household income in Bozeman is $79,903 compared to $63,934 in Great Falls (+25%). 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 Bozeman spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Great Falls.