CostIndexUSA

Bozeman, MT vs Lafayette, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Lafayette is moderately cheaper than Bozeman — 14.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bozeman, you would need $68,100 in Lafayette. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing57.8%
Bozeman
139.2
Lafayette
58.8
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Bozeman
96
Lafayette
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Bozeman
103.7
Lafayette
100.5
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Bozeman
93.8
Lafayette
90.9
Utilities3.3%
Bozeman
73.6
Lafayette
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lafayette, LA
$68,100
$11,900 less needed in Lafayette

Formula: salary × (87.2 ÷ 102.5) = salary × 0.8507. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bozeman, MT

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

Lafayette, LA

Median Home Price
$194,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
58.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2×

Bozeman has 57.8% lower housing costs compared to Lafayette.

Income & Job Market

Bozeman, MT

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

Lafayette, LA

Median Household Income
$57,300
Per Capita Income
$32,700
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
120,623
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareEducationManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Bozeman, MT
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Lafayette, LA
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.