Billings vs Gresham
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Gresham
The Verdict
Living in Billings costs 23.4% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $97,959 in Gresham.
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 $97,959 in Gresham.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gresham equals $57,422 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Gresham
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Gresham's 172, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $459,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,450/mo in Gresham, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 101 in Gresham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $480/month in Gresham. 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 96 in Gresham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $384 in Gresham. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 103 in Gresham. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,438 in Billings and $69,600 in Gresham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $54,375 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 $1,624/month in Gresham. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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