Billings wins overall by ~9% (COL index)
Cost of living: Missoula vs Billings (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Missoula buys roughly what $55,052 does in Billings (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,963/yr
Favoring Billings for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $164/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~92 months and still keep ~$20/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Missoula Montana | Billings Montana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050 | $950Better | Billings wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Billings |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300 | $1,200Better | Billings wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Billings |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,750 | $1,600Better | Billings wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Billings |
| Median home price | $430K | $320KWins | Billings wins −$110K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 97Better | Billings wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13 | $12Better | Billings wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $54 | $52Better | Billings wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45 | $42Better | Billings wins −$3/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.50 | $3.45Better | Billings wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $135Better | $138 | Missoula wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $145Better | $148 | Missoula wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $68Better | $68 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $54K | $60KBetter | Billings wins +$6K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 6.8%Better | 6.8% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $35Better | Billings wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.50Better | Billings wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 89Better | Billings wins -8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42Wins | 26 | Missoula wins -16 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Billings fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Billings.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Missoula cheaper than Billings?
No. Billings is 9% cheaper than Missoula based on overall cost of living indices (89 vs 97, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Missoula vs Billings?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Missoula is $1,300/month and in Billings is $1,200/month. Missoula is more expensive by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Billings to match a $75,000 salary in Missoula?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,814/year in Billings to match a $75,000 salary in Missoula. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Missoula or Billings?
Billings has the lower state income tax rate at 6.8% vs 6.8%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Missoula 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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