Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Buffalo is 5% more affordable than Billings. A $75,000 salary in Billings is equivalent to $71,173 in Buffalo.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Montana salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Billings has a housing index of 93 while Buffalo sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Billings costs $310,000 compared to $175,000 in Buffalo, a difference of $135,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Billings versus $1,000 in Buffalo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Billings scores 99 while Buffalo scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Billings (102) are higher than Buffalo (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Billings is $55,438 compared to $40,858 in Buffalo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Buffalo.
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