Can I Afford to Live in Billings vs Laredo on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Billings, MT
$8,094/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (15% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Laredo, TX
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (11% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Billings
MT
Laredo
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,094
$8,944Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,200
$950Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$369
$338Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$42
$35Best ✓
Utilities
$148Best ✓
$168
Internet
$68
$58Best ✓
Left after essentials
$6,267/month
$7,395/month
Laredo (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Billings (MT rate: 6.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Billings?

At $150K/year in Billings, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,094. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 15% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in Laredo?

At $150K/year in Laredo, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $950/month, rent takes up 11% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Laredo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,395/month vs $6,267/month in Billings.

Can I afford to live alone in Billings on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Billings, rent takes 15% of your take-home, leaving $6,267/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Billings vs Laredo

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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