Can I Afford to Live in Billings vs El Paso on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Billings, MT
$3,453/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (35% of take-home)
Manageable
El Paso, TX
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $1,050/mo (28% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Billings
MT
El Paso
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,453
$3,793Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,200
$1,050Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$369
$346Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$42
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$148Best ✓
$175
Internet
$68
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$1,626/month
$2,122/month
El Paso (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Billings (MT rate: 6.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in Billings?

At $60K/year in Billings, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,453. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 35% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $60K a good salary in El Paso?

At $60K/year in El Paso, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $1,050/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

El Paso leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,122/month vs $1,626/month in Billings.

Can I afford to live alone in Billings on $60K?

Yes. At $60K in Billings, rent takes 35% of your take-home, leaving $1,626/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Billings vs El Paso

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only