Detached garage cost in Bozeman, MT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $29,900 – $60,100
- Per sq ft
- $51.50 – $103
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #72
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Bozeman, MT usually costs $29,900 to $60,100 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $51.50 to $103 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,450 more. Carpenters earn a median of $30.02 an hour in the Bozeman area, 3% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Bozeman, MT, standard level
$39,000 to $51,000
About $67 to $88 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,500 |
| Labor | $20,700 | $27,100 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $39,000 | $51,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Bozeman, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $20,700 | $27,600 | 46% |
| Labor | $16,000 | $23,900 | $31,900 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 1% |
| Total | $29,900 | $45,000 | $60,100 | 100% |
Where the Bozeman price comes from
Labor is 53% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), cement masons and concrete finishers (15%), construction laborers (20%), electricians (10%), roofers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Bozeman the blended ratio comes out at 1.11.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bozeman is at 96.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,700 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 102.5: $150 to $510.
Is Bozeman cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 576 sq ft range from $39,900 to $45,000 across Bozeman and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MTthis page | $29,900 – $60,100 | $45,000 | |
| Billings, MT115 miles | $28,900 – $57,900 | $43,400 | −4% |
| Idaho Falls, ID145 miles | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | −9% |
| Missoula, MT185 miles | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −3% |
| Logan, UT255 miles | $26,600 – $53,300 | $39,900 | −11% |
| Boise, ID300 miles | $27,400 – $55,100 | $41,200 | −8% |
| Montana (statewide) | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,500 | −3% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bozeman ranks #72 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bozeman is 3% above the Montana figure.
Elsewhere in Montana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $28,900 – $57,900 | $43,400 | −4% |
| Missoula, MT | 67,070 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bozeman against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $27,400 – $54,900 | $41,100 | −9% |
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $47,900 | +7% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $28,300 – $56,800 | $42,600 | −5% |
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $27,700 – $55,600 | $41,600 | −7% |
What local crews earn in Bozeman
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 5 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Bozeman the blend is 1.11.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $30.02 an hour, 3% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.28 and $36.07 an hour. About 900 work in the metro. That is 124.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $26.77 an hour, which is 18% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.06 and $29.16 an hour. BLS counts 790 of them working in the area, 109.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $30.90 an hour, 13% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.88 and $33.80 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 22.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $37.61 an hour, which is 24% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.76 and $41.72 an hour. BLS counts 440 of them working in the area, 60.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.56 an hour, 15% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $24.86 and $34.45 an hour. About 40 work in the metro. That is 5.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,000 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $580. That is a swing of roughly 1.3% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bozeman has 72,210 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 256th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.28 | $30.02 | $36.07 | $29.12 | 1.03 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.88 | $30.90 | $33.80 | $27.41 | 1.13 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $24.06 | $26.77 | $29.16 | $22.66 | 1.18 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $29.76 | $37.61 | $41.72 | $30.38 | 1.24 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $24.86 | $30.56 | $34.45 | $26.65 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
Why two Bozeman quotes can differ
Size and finish level
HomeGuide puts a 2-car detached garage at $20,000-$57,600, with the spread driven by how finished it is.
Foundation
A slab is cheapest. A frost-depth foundation in cold states costs more.
Garage apartments
A garage with living space is a different project: HomeGuide puts them at $80,000-$300,000.
Cost by quality level and size in Bozeman
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bozeman. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$29,900 to $42,000
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$39,000 to $51,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$48,000 to $60,100
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,600 – $17,700 | $16,400 – $21,500 | $20,200 – $25,300 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $29,900 – $42,000 | $39,000 – $51,000 | $48,000 – $60,100 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $37,400 – $52,400 | $48,600 – $63,700 | $59,900 – $75,000 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $46,700 – $65,400 | $60,700 – $79,500 | $74,800 – $93,600 |
Bozeman weather and the detached garage calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Bozeman Montana State Univ (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Bozeman are June through September: 4 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Bozeman gets about 20 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 91 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (3.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 1.3 and 1.3 inches. The station averages about 12 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34 | 15 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 17 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 24 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 31 | 2.5 | Cold |
| May | 63 | 39 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Jun | 72 | 46 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 52 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 50 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 42 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 57 | 32 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Nov | 42 | 22 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 33 | 15 | 1.0 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Bozeman?
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bozeman wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+8%) and garage door lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,350 | +4% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $700 – $3,650 | −1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $10,000 | +8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $40,000 – $81,000 | +5% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $39,000 to $51,000 for Bozeman, MT is attached.
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Detached garage in Bozeman: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Bozeman?
For 576 sq ft, expect $29,900 to $60,100 in the Bozeman area. A standard-spec job lands at $39,000 to $51,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Bozeman?
About $51.50 to $103 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Bozeman or Billings?
Billings is 115 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $43,400, which is 4% less than Bozeman ($45,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bozeman?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $23,900 out of $45,000. Materials are 46% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Bozeman?
$37,400 to $75,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Bozeman?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $510 for fees in the Bozeman area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bozeman expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Montana?
Bozeman is 3% above the Montana statewide estimate ($43,500 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Bozeman?
The BLS median is $30.02 an hour in the Bozeman area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.28 to $36.07.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Bozeman?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $29,900 to $42,000 and premium work $48,000 to $60,100. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+When is the best time to build a detached garage in Bozeman?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are June through September. July and August are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Detached garage near Bozeman
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Detached Garage Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Trusscore: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? 2026 Price Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage? [2026 Data] (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range / 1.6, because Angi puts professional labor at roughly an additional 60% of the materials cost (materials about 62.5% of the total).