salaryBozeman is the 4th-largest city in Montana that we track, with 56,114 residents. Rent is higher than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 15.5 minutes. Most households rent (55%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 65.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $81,560 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Montana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Montana. It is number 24 of 27 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bozeman?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bozeman
| Size | Bozeman | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,126 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,396 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,677 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,366 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,524 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bozeman overall?
Everyday prices in the Bozeman metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 102.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bozeman
Life in Bozeman
What jobs pay in Bozeman
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $159,500 | 15.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $141,800 | 17.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $139,990 | 17.5% |
| Software Developer | $126,110 | 19.4% |
| Lawyer | $106,760 | 22.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,650 | 23.4% |
| Operations Manager | $103,210 | 23.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,890 | 24.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,310 | 24.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $84,730 | 28.9% |
| Plumber | $81,310 | 30.1% |
| Electrician | $78,230 | 31.3% |
| Firefighter | $77,430 | 31.6% |
| Accountant | $77,400 | 31.6% |
| Police Officer | $74,320 | 32.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $72,970 | 33.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,990 | 37.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,790 | 38.4% |
| Truck Driver | $62,780 | 39.0% |
| Carpenter | $62,450 | 39.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,740 | 40.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,070 | 52.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,980 | 52.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,220 | 52.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,430 | 57.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,350 | 63.8% |
| Cashier | $38,130 | 64.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,380 | 92.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bozeman?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,734 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $687,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $68,790 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bozeman, MT?
Renting in Bozeman costs a median of about $2,039 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Montana median is $1,260.
How much do I need to make to live in Bozeman?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $81,560 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bozeman cheap or expensive?
Bozeman is rated OK: rent takes 26.5% of the typical household income of $92,478. It ranks 24th cheapest of 27 Montana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bozeman?
The median homeowner in Bozeman pays $4,183 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is Bozeman more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bozeman?
The median home value in Bozeman is $687,900, about 7.4 times the typical yearly household income.
56,114 people live in Bozeman. Numbers are typical (middle) values.