Bozeman’s composite cost of living score 13% above national average

Thursday Dec. 5th, 2013

Bozeman’s composite cost of living score came in at 1.9 percent above the national average for the third quarter of 2013, according to the Cost of Living Index Report released by Prospera Business Network. The composite index is based on six component categories – housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services. The national average composite index is set at 100 each collection period; therefore the index conveys relative price levels at a specific point in time and the index score can be seen as a percentage of the average for all places. The Index does not measure inflation (price change over time). Figures above 100 represent costs above national average; figures below 100 represent costs below national averages.

HousingThe third quarter 2013 housing index score was 113.5, meaning that area housing was 13.5 percent above the national average for the quarter. This is the highest score relative to national averages since the first quarter of 2009. The change in the housing index as relative to national averages reflects a marked improvement in the local real estate market—which other metrics such as area building permit figures, the average sale price of single family residences and zoning activity have been indicating.

All Other CategoriesBozeman residents continue to enjoy a bargain when it comes to utilities and transportation, which were 6.7 percent below average and 5.9 percent below average respectively. Also, groceries were 3.6 percent below the national average and goods and services came in at 2.4 percent below average. Health care was 4.9 percent above average this quarter, which is not unusual based on prior periods.

Area ComparisonsIn Montana, Kalispell is currently the only other city participating in the cost of living study. The table below shows how Bozeman and Kalispell compare to other communities of similar size and composition. Kalispell continues to report a lower cost of living than Bozeman in all categories except for transportation and health care, which has been the trend for some time.

To put Bozeman and Kalispell’s index scores in perspective, the other cities included in the table below include the cities with the most expensive and least expensive composite scores for the quarter—Manhattan, New York and Norman, Oklahoma respectively. The table also includes the most comparable cities to Bozeman in the Western region that participate in the index. Note: San Francisco was included to provide insight into how Bozeman compares to the Bay area since none of the participating cities in California were comparable to Bozeman.

Third Quarter 2013 Cost of Living Index
City
Composite
Score
Groceries
Housing
Utilities
Transportation
Health Care
Misc. Goods & Services
San Francisco, CA
159.9
117.9
285.5
97.7
113.6
119.2
115.5
Grand Junction, CO
97.8
99.2
100.7
87.5
101.5
100.5
96.2
Idaho Falls, ID
87.3
81.1
66.4
97.0
107.4
98.5
95.2
Bozeman, MT
101.9
96.4
113.5
93.3
94.1
104.9
99.8
Kalispell, MT
95.0
94.7
81.8
92.9
98.4
107.5
103.7
Manhattan, NY
Most expensive Q3 2013
221.3
132.0
448.3
139.8
123.1
103.9
148.8
Norman, OK
Least expensive Q3 2013
82.4
90.7
66.0
84.1
89.2
92.1
88.1
Klamath Falls, OR
93.8
91.5
84.0
97.0
112.3
104.5
93.4
Cedar City, UT
88.0
88.4
72.9
85.9
98.6
90.6
96.7
Olympia, WA
101.7
99.7
100.9
86.9
112.7
121.9
100.9
Laramie, WY
96.1
101.2
98.1
92.0
93.9
116.9
91.5
The national average composite index is set at 100 each collection period. The index conveys relative price levels at a specific point in time and the index score can be seen as a percentage of the average for all places The Index does not measure inflation (price change over time).

About the Cost of Living Index

The Cost of Living Index is a comparison study of over 300 urban areas around the nation.  Three times each year, participating organizations collect data within their respective cities on consumer goods, services, housing, transportation, utilities, and healthcare. The study is intended to provide a measure of living cost differences among urban areas for a mid-management standard of living.  Prospera Business Network, the local economic development organization, collects prices for over 60 items in Bozeman and submits its research to be analyzed and compared to other communities.

About C2ER, the Council for Community and Economic Research

Formerly the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association (ACCRA), C2ER is a membership organization created in 1961 to promote excellence in community and economic research by working to improve data availability, enhance data quality, and foster learning about regional economic analytic methods. C2ER produces the national Cost of Living Index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure to compare cost of living differences among urban areas. The Cost of Living Index is the most reliable source of city-to-city comparisons of a key consumer costs available anywhere. To learn more about C2ER, visit: www.c2er.org

About Prospera Business Network

Prospera Business Network is a private, non-profit, member-supported economic development organization in southwestern Montana. Prospera is dedicated to supporting business expansion, retention and relocation by providing access to business consulting, financing, professional development and economic research. Originally established in 1985 as the Gallatin Development Corporation, Prospera is one of the most comprehensive and collaborative economic development organizations in the area, with the mission to advance, challenge and inspire the business communities in southwestern Montana and in the process contribute to the overall growth and diversification of Montana’s economy.  Prospera Business Network provides a wealth of resources and tools to business leaders and visionary entrepreneurs and prides itself on the range and quality of its programs. To learn more visit: www.ProsperaBusinessNetwork.org