Bozeman, MT vs Missoula, MT

The cost of living difference between Bozeman, MT and Missoula, MT is dramatic. Missoula is 31.5% cheaper than Bozeman, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bozeman has a cost index of 134 while Missoula sits at 102, 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 $1,120/month in Missoula — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Missoula is more affordable at $427,400 median vs $614,900.

Median household income in Bozeman is $79,903 compared to $65,329 in Missoula (+22.3%). The higher salaries in Bozeman partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bozeman spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Missoula.