Billings vs College Station

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 $66,582 in College Station.

Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $84,483 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs College Station

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is higher College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $314,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $442/month in College Station. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $384 in College Station. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 90 in College Station. 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 $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $58,506 respectively. College Station 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 $1,188/month in College Station. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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