CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Bozeman, MT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableMT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Bozeman is moderately cheaper than Boston — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $75,700 in Bozeman. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.2%
Boston
148.4
Bozeman
139.2
🛒 Groceries3.7%
Boston
99.7
Bozeman
96
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Boston
108.8
Bozeman
103.7
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Boston
98.4
Bozeman
93.8
Utilities50.5%
Boston
148.8
Bozeman
73.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bozeman, MT
$75,700
$4,300 less needed in Bozeman

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9464. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Bozeman, MT

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

Boston has 6.2% lower housing costs compared to Bozeman.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

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).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.