CostIndexUSA

Bozeman, MT vs Brownsville, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Brownsville
86
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Brownsville is significantly cheaper than Bozeman — 16.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bozeman, you would need $67,100 in Brownsville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing58.5%
Bozeman
139.2
Brownsville
57.7
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Bozeman
96
Brownsville
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.5%
Bozeman
103.7
Brownsville
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
Bozeman
93.8
Brownsville
91.4
Utilities+10.3%
Bozeman
73.6
Brownsville
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Brownsville, TX
$67,100
$12,900 less needed in Brownsville

Formula: salary × (86 ÷ 102.5) = salary × 0.8390. 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×

Brownsville, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
57.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7×

Bozeman has 58.5% lower housing costs compared to Brownsville.

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

Brownsville, TX

Median Household Income
$52,200
Per Capita Income
$29,800
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
183,392
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

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)

Brownsville, TX
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.