Billings vs Cary
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Cary
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.5%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $81,122 in Cary.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $81,122 in Cary.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cary equals $69,340 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Cary
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Cary's 152, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $500,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,850/mo in Cary, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 101 in Cary. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $480/month in Cary. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 97 in Cary. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $388 in Cary. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 113 in Cary. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,438 in Billings and $117,400 in Cary. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $110,755 respectively. Cary residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,294/month to housing in Billings vs $2,739/month in Cary. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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