Billings vs Champaign
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Champaign
The Verdict
Champaign is 21.0% less expensive than Billings overall. A household earning $75,000 in Billings would need approximately $61,990 in Champaign to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $61,990 in Champaign.
Conversely, $75,000 in Champaign equals $90,741 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Champaign
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Champaign's 83, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $215,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,100/mo in Champaign, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 98 in Champaign. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $466/month in Champaign. 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 106 in Champaign. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $424 in Champaign. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 90 in Champaign. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,100 in Champaign. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $69,259 respectively. Champaign 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 $1,309/month in Champaign. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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