$40K in Billings = $39,551 in Cheyenne
Your $40K salary in Billings (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $39,551 in Cheyenne (COL 88). Cheyenne is cheaper — your money goes 1% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Billings $40K | Cheyenne $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,502 | $2,728 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,150 |
| Groceries | $369 | $365 |
| Transport | $42 | $35 |
| Utilities | $148 | $148 |
| Internet | $68 | $68 |
| Left after essentials | $675/month | $962/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Billings equivalent to in Cheyenne?
$40K in Billings (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $39,551 in Cheyenne (COL index 88). That's 1% less than your current salary.
If I move from Billings to Cheyenne keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Cheyenne, you'd have $287 more per month after core expenses — because Cheyenne is cheaper than Billings.
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: $40K × (88 ÷ 89) = $39,551. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Billings to Cheyenne
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only