Billings vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Franklin
The Verdict
Billings is 29.5% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Billings would need approximately $106,378 in Franklin 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 $106,378 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $52,878 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $750,000. The $440,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $475/month in Franklin. 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 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 137 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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