Moving from Carmel to Billings (2026)
Billings has a COL index of 89 vs 98 for Carmel (100 = US average). You'd pay about 9% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$253/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
9889
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,450$1,200
per month
State tax
3.2%6.8%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,541$4,316
per month
Salary needed in Billings to match your Carmel lifestyle
Based on the 9% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Carmel | Equivalent in Billings |
|---|---|
| $40K | $36,327 |
| $50K | $45,408 |
| $60K | $54,490 |
| $75K | $68,112 |
| $80K | $72,653 |
| $100K | $90,816 |
| $120K | $108,980 |
| $150K | $136,224 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Carmel vs Billings
| Expense | Carmel | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,541 | $4,316 |
| 1BR rent | $1,450 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $376 | $369 |
| Transport | $40 | $42 |
| Utilities | $152 | $148 |
| Internet | $62 | $68 |
| Left after essentials | $2,461 | $2,489 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Billings cheaper than Carmel?
Yes. Billings has a cost of living index of 89 vs 98 for Carmel (100 = US average). That's about 9% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Carmel to Billings?
On a $75K salary, moving from Carmel to Billings could save roughly $253/month on core expenses. That's ~$3,036/year.
What salary do I need in Billings to match my Carmel lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Carmel, you'd need roughly $68,112/year in Billings. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Billings to CarmelCarmel vs Billings — full comparisonCarmel cost of livingBillings cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only