Can I Afford to Live in Billings vs San Antonio on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Billings, MT
$4,603/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable
San Antonio, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (22% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Billings
MT
San Antonio
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,603
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,200
$1,100Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$369
$353Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$42Best ✓
$48
Utilities
$148Best ✓
$175
Internet
$68
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$2,776/month
$3,321/month
San Antonio (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Billings (MT rate: 6.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Billings?

At $80K/year in Billings, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,603. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 26% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in San Antonio?

At $80K/year in San Antonio, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 22% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

San Antonio leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,321/month vs $2,776/month in Billings.

Can I afford to live alone in Billings on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Billings, rent takes 26% of your take-home, leaving $2,776/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Billings vs San Antonio

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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