$100K in Albany = $96,739 in Billings
Your $100K salary in Albany (COL 92) has the same purchasing power as $96,739 in Billings (COL 89). Billings is cheaper — your money goes 3% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Albany $100K | Billings $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,746 | $5,754 |
| 1BR rent | $1,400 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $380 | $369 |
| Transport | $68 | $42 |
| Utilities | $185 | $148 |
| Internet | $65 | $68 |
| Left after essentials | $3,648/month | $3,927/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Albany equivalent to in Billings?
$100K in Albany (COL index 92) has the same purchasing power as $96,739 in Billings (COL index 89). That's 3% less than your current salary.
If I move from Albany to Billings keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Billings, you'd have $279 more per month after core expenses — because Billings is cheaper than Albany.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $100K × (89 ÷ 92) = $96,739. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Albany to Billings
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only