CostIndexUSA

Bozeman, MT vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is moderately cheaper than Bozeman — 9.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bozeman, you would need $72,300 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing40.0%
Bozeman
139.2
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Bozeman
96
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.5%
Bozeman
103.7
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
Bozeman
93.8
Waco
91.4
Utilities+10.1%
Bozeman
73.6
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$72,300
$7,700 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 102.5) = salary × 0.9034. 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×

Waco, TX

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Bozeman has 40.0% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

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

Waco, TX

Median Household Income
$62,700
Per Capita Income
$35,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
138,486
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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)

Waco, TX
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.