CostIndexUSA

Bozeman, MT vs Buffalo, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Buffalo is moderately cheaper than Bozeman — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bozeman, you would need $74,800 in Buffalo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.8%
Bozeman
139.2
Buffalo
81
🛒 Groceries+3.9%
Bozeman
96
Buffalo
99.7
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Bozeman
103.7
Buffalo
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Bozeman
93.8
Buffalo
92.9
Utilities+76.0%
Bozeman
73.6
Buffalo
129.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Buffalo, NY
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Buffalo

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 102.5) = salary × 0.9346. 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×

Buffalo, NY

Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
81
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Bozeman has 41.8% lower housing costs compared to Buffalo.

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

Buffalo, NY

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
261,025
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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)

Buffalo, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.