Billings vs Columbus
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Columbus
The Verdict
Living in Columbus costs 25.6% less than Billings. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $59,694 in Columbus.
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 $59,694 in Columbus.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbus equals $94,231 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Columbus
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Columbus's 57, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $222,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,050/mo in Columbus, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 97 in Columbus. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $461/month in Columbus. 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 86 in Columbus. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $344 in Columbus. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 85 in Columbus. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $58,100 in Columbus. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $74,487 respectively. Columbus 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 $1,356/month in Columbus. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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