City Comparison

Billings vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

5.8%

Living in Billings costs 5.8% less than Dublin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $79,592 in Dublin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
128
Dublin
Groceries
99
Billings
95
Dublin
Utilities
89
Billings
110
Dublin
Transportation
101
Billings
108
Dublin
Healthcare
102
Billings
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $79,592 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $70,673 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $470,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $451/month in Dublin. 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 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $440 in Dublin. 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 82 in Dublin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $53,846 respectively. Billings residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,294/month to housing in Billings vs $1,307/month in Dublin. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 5.8% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,592 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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