CostIndexUSA

Bozeman, MT vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Lancaster is slightly cheaper than Bozeman — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bozeman, you would need $76,700 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.6%
Bozeman
139.2
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries+4.9%
Bozeman
96
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Bozeman
103.7
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Bozeman
93.8
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities+45.8%
Bozeman
73.6
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$76,700
$3,300 less needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 102.5) = salary × 0.9590. 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×

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Bozeman has 32.6% lower housing costs compared to Lancaster.

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

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

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)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.