CostIndexUSA

Bozeman, MT vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMT
Bozeman
102.5
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Bozeman is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 8.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bozeman, you would need $86,700 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+8.7%
Bozeman
139.2
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+8.3%
Bozeman
96
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+8.2%
Bozeman
103.7
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.2%
Bozeman
93.8
Seattle
101.5
Utilities+26.1%
Bozeman
73.6
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$86,700
$6,700 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 102.5) = salary × 1.0839. 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×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 8.7% higher housing costs compared to Bozeman.

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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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)

Seattle, WA
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.