Billings vs Bakersfield

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Montana salaries · California salaries

Living in Billings vs Bakersfield

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Billings has a housing index of 93 while Bakersfield sits at 96 (national average = 100). The median home in Billings costs $310,000 compared to $310,000 in Bakersfield, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Billings versus $1,200 in Bakersfield.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Billings scores 99 while Bakersfield scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Billings (102) are higher than Bakersfield (99). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Billings is $55,438 compared to $57,548 in Bakersfield. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Billings vs Bakersfield

If you are considering a move between Billings (index: 98) and Bakersfield (index: 101), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Billings is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Billings can afford $1,294/month, while the median household in Bakersfield can afford $1,343/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Billings versus $310,000 in Bakersfield, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,200/month in Billings and $1,200/month in Bakersfield, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Billings where costs are 2% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Billings (98) vs Bakersfield (101)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Billings at 98 is 2% below the US average, while Bakersfield at 101 is 1% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Billings and Bakersfield land within 3 points of each other on the composite index (98 vs 101), so the overall cost picture is similar. The biggest category divergence is utilities, where Billings scores 89 and Bakersfield scores 106. That 17-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Billings at 93 and Bakersfield at 96 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $310,000 and $310,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Billings has an edge in housing and groceries, while Bakersfield is more affordable for healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,200/month in Billings and $1,200/month in Bakersfield, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $0 difference in median home prices between Billings and Bakersfield translates to roughly $0 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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