Cost of Living: Madison vs Billings (2026)
Billings has a 9% lower overall cost of living than Madison as of Q1 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $1,200/mo in Billings vs $1,650/mo in Madison — a 38% difference.
- Billings is 9% cheaper overall (COL index: 97 vs 89)
- 1BR rent: $1,200/mo in Billings vs $1,650/mo — 27% savings
- Higher median household income: Madison ($68,000/yr vs $60,000/yr)
- Median home price: $320,000 in Billings vs $360,000 — 11% difference
| Category | Madison Wisconsin | Billings Montana |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300 | $950Best |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,650 | $1,200Best |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200 | $1,600Best |
| Median home price | $360K | $320KBest |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 | 97Best |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $12Best |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58 | $52Best |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62 | $42Best |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20Best | $3.45 |
| Car insurance/mo | $145 | $138Best |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $162 | $148Best |
| Internet/mo | $63Best | $68 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||
| Median household income/yr | $68KBest | $60K |
| State income tax% | 7.7% | 6.8%Best |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 5.4% | 0.0%Best |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Best |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $35Best |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50 | $5.50Best |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 89Best |
| Walk score / 100 | 55Best | 26 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Madison cheaper than Billings?
No. Billings is 9% cheaper than Madison based on overall cost of living indices (89 vs 97, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Madison vs Billings?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Madison is $1,650/month and in Billings is $1,200/month. Madison is more expensive by 38%.
How much do I need to earn in Billings to match a $75,000 salary in Madison?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,814/year in Billings to match a $75,000 salary in Madison. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Madison or Billings?
Billings has the lower state income tax rate at 6.8% vs 7.7%. The difference is 0.9 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Madison to Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Billings offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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