CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Bozeman, MT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
MT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Bismarck is moderately cheaper than Bozeman — 12.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $90,100 in Bozeman. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+65.7%
Bismarck
84
Bozeman
139.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bismarck
95.7
Bozeman
96
🚗 Transportation+8.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Bozeman
103.7
🏥 Healthcare+8.3%
Bismarck
86.6
Bozeman
93.8
Utilities1.9%
Bismarck
75
Bozeman
73.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bismarck to see what you'd need to earn in Bozeman to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Bozeman, MT
$90,100
$10,100 more needed in Bozeman

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.1264. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Bozeman, MT

Median Home Price
$678,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
139.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.9×

Bozeman has 65.7% higher housing costs compared to Bismarck.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

Bozeman, MT

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
53,293
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismHealthcareAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Bozeman, MT
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.