City Comparison

Billings vs Denton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

Montana
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,438
Median Income

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

The Verdict

9.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.3%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $82,653 in Denton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Billings
126
Denton
Groceries
99
Billings
98
Denton
Utilities
89
Billings
90
Denton
Transportation
101
Billings
87
Denton
Healthcare
102
Billings
81
Denton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $82,653 in Denton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $68,056 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Denton

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Denton's 126, 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 $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $466/month in Denton. 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 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $360 in Denton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $68,241 respectively. Denton 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 $1,720/month in Denton. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,653 in Denton, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Denton's is 126 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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