City cost comparison
Bozeman vs Chicago
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Bozeman, MT against Chicago, IL.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Bozeman, MT | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $1,008 | $900 | +12% cheaper in Chicago |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,254 | $1,373 | +9% cheaper in Bozeman |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $630 | $660 | +5% cheaper in Bozeman |
| FoodPer child / month | $368 | $360 | +2% cheaper in Chicago |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $86 | $88 | +2% cheaper in Bozeman |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.