Billings vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Hilo
The Verdict
Living in Billings costs 25.8% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $101,020 in Hilo.
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 $101,020 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $55,682 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $555,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $708/month in Hilo. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2856/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $872 in Hilo. 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 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $59,621 respectively. Hilo 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 $1,836/month in Hilo. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 129 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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