Billings vs Clearwater
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Clearwater
The Verdict
Billings is 4.9% less expensive than Clearwater overall. A household earning $75,000 in Billings would need approximately $78,827 in Clearwater 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 $78,827 in Clearwater.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clearwater equals $71,359 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Clearwater
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Clearwater's 115, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $385,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,625/mo in Clearwater, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 102 in Clearwater. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $485/month in Clearwater. 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 101 in Clearwater. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $404 in Clearwater. 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 92 in Clearwater. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $66,400 in Clearwater. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $64,466 respectively. Clearwater 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 $1,549/month in Clearwater. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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