Bozeman, MT vs Broadwater County, MT
A 2-bedroom in Broadwater County costs $406 less per month than Bozeman ($1,748 vs $2,154). Median income is $87,454 in Bozeman and $63,636 in Broadwater County. That's a difference of $4,872 per year in housing costs.
Bozeman, Montana 2-bedroom FMR is $406 above Broadwater County, Montana — a meaningful 23-percent premium. Differences of this size are usually structural rather than transient, reflecting permanent differences in housing supply, labor-market scale, or zoning.
For households weighing a move between the two counties, the FMR gap is one input among several. Cost-of-living adjustments cover housing well but undercount the income-side picture; local wages can offset rent differences, particularly in higher-paying coastal metros where the higher rent comes with higher pay.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Bozeman | Broadwater County |
|---|---|---|
| Studio FMR | $1,485 | $1,240 |
| 1BR FMR | $1,642 | $1,595 |
| 2BR FMR | $2,154 | $1,748 |
| 3BR FMR | $2,996 | $2,096 |
| 4BR FMR | $3,537 | $2,856 |
| Median Income | $87,454 | $63,636 |
| Rent Burden | 29.6% | 33% |
| Actual Median Rent | $1,574 | $978 |
| Median Home Value | $604,900 | $364,800 |
| Population | 122K | 7.3K |
| Renter % | 38.5% | 17.8% |
| Vacancy Rate | 10% | 8.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 10.2% | 10.7% |
| Unemployment | - | 3% |
| Min Wage | $10.55/hr | $10.55/hr |
Income Required to Afford a 2-Bedroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Broadwater County, MT is more affordable with a 2BR FMR of $1,748/mo, which is $406 less than Bozeman at $2,154/mo. However, when considering local incomes, Bozeman has a rent burden of 29.6% vs 33% in Broadwater County.
A 2-bedroom in Bozeman, MT costs $2,154/mo at Fair Market Rent, while in Broadwater County, MT it's $1,748/mo, a difference of $406/mo or $4,872/year.
To afford a 2BR without spending more than 30% of income on rent: Bozeman requires $86,160/year ($41/hr). Broadwater County requires $69,920/year ($34/hr).
Source: HUD Fair Market Rents, 2026.