Can I Afford to Live in Billings vs New York on $75K?

Here's how a $75K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Billings, MT
$4,316/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (28% of take-home)
Comfortable
New York, NY
$4,309/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (81% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Billings
MT
New York
NY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,316Best ✓
$4,309
1BR rent
$1,200Best ✓
$3,500
Groceries (est.)
$369Best ✓
$437
Transport (est.)
$42Best ✓
$132
Utilities
$148Best ✓
$180
Internet
$68Best ✓
$75
Left after essentials
$2,489/month
-$15/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $75K a good salary in Billings?

At $75K/year in Billings, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,316. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $75K a good salary in New York?

At $75K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,309. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 81% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $75K salary?

Billings leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,489/month vs $-15/month in New York.

Can I afford to live alone in Billings on $75K?

Yes. At $75K in Billings, rent takes 28% of your take-home, leaving $2,489/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Billings vs New York

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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