Abilene vs Billings
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Billings
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 18.4% less than Billings. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $91,875 in Billings.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $91,875 in Billings.
Conversely, $75,000 in Billings equals $61,224 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Billings
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Billings's 93, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $310,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,200/mo in Billings, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Billings. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Billings. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 89 in Billings. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $356 in Billings. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 102 in Billings. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $55,438 in Billings. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $56,569 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,294/month in Billings. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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