We're all trying to make our dollars stretch more these days. Montana has become one of the "least affordable states" in the country, and places like Bozeman are simply no longer affordable for many. Nothing we haven't heard before. But what was this place like 20 years ago?

We took a look into a few goods, services, and specials that we could find. Many of the  prices noted here are from archived print ads in newspapers, because they were easy to track down.

  • Cantrell's Lounge in the Holiday Inn (2004 print ad in MSU Exponent)
  • Happy Hour every Monday through Friday 4:30pm to 6:30pm
  • FREE FOOD and $2 well drinks every Happy Hour

When I could find a current quote on the same product or service, I included that price here for comparison. Obviously, time and inflation need to be taken into consideration. And yes, most of these are from bars and restaurants - they advertise their prices most often, even back then.

  • CHINATOWN RESTAURANT (2004 print ad in MSU Exponent)
  • Lunch Buffet 11am to 3pm $7.50
  • Dinner Buffet 5pm to 9pm $10.95

There aren't many buffets of any kind these days, post-pandemic. But you'd be hard pressed to find one anywhere that costs less than $20 for lunch. Even chain restaurant lunch specials are approaching $20 a piece.

  • Bamboo Garden (2004 print ad in MSU Exponent)
  • Lunch Buffet 11am to 2:30pm $6.95
  • Dinner Buffet 5pm to 8:30pm $9.95

MORE: Bozeman's Top 15 Lunch Spots for $10 and Under

  • Single Family Residence in Gallatin County - January, 2005
  • Per the Gallatin Association of Realtors (earliest report available)
  • $217,875 = median sales price

Compare that number to the median sales price in August 2024: $882,500 for a single family residence. The median (sold) price per square foot has also jumped to $380 as of August 2024.

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  • Looie's Downunder Happy Hour (2004 print ad in MSU Exponent)
  • Monday through Friday 5pm to 7pm
  • Buy 1 glass of wine and receive a 2nd one FREE

I can't remember the last time I saw anything in Bozeman that was "buy 1 get 1 free". You'll often see a "buy 1 get 1 half off" but that's about as good as it gets these days.

  • Zebra Cocktail Lounge (2004 print ad in MSU Exponent)
  • Ladies Night every Wednesday night
  • Ladies drink free from 10pm to 11pm

Perhaps drinking for free anywhere, isn't a great idea anymore. But for the sake of argument, it was a pretty good deal. If you go back even further in Bozeman's drinking history, you'll remember "quarter beer nights".

Bridger Bowl October 2004 print ad
Bridger Bowl October 2004 print ad
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Bridger Bowl 2024-2025 season pass prices
Bridger Bowl 2024-2025 season pass prices
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  • Eagles Club (2004 print ad in MSU Exponent)
  • Friday Night Burger Night
  • $3 Burgers, 60oz pitchers for $3.75

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