Bozeman's cost of living now ranks alongside New Orleans, Louisiana, Panama City, Florida and Reno, Nevada.

Bozeman's cost of living has increased in the third quarter of 2009. That is according to data collected by Prospera Buisness Network.

The after tax cost of living for a professional/managerial household in Bozeman registered at 5.7 percent above the national average, according to the data. That is up from the second quarter of 2009 when Bozeman registered 3.3 percent above the average.

"Once again, we're seeing the cost of housing drive up the overall cost of living in Bozeman. Bozeman continues to have the highest cost of housing and the highest overall cost of living in Montana," Prospera Program Director Peter Bertelsen said in a news release. "During the third quarter, Bozeman's cost of housing increased from 7.3 percent to 8.5 percent above the average."

Bozeman's third quarter cost of living compares to New Orleans, Louisiana, which is 5.1 percent above the average; Panama City, Florida, which is 5.1 percent above the average; and Reno, Nevada, which is 4.4 percent above the average.

Of the other two Montana cities that participate in the study, Missoula reported an overall cost of living at 1.8 percent above the national average and Kalispell reported an overall cost of living at 2.6 percent above the average, Prospera reported.