City Comparison

Billings vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

2.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.0%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $76,531 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
94
Irving
Groceries
99
Billings
99
Irving
Utilities
89
Billings
111
Irving
Transportation
101
Billings
97
Irving
Healthcare
102
Billings
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $76,531 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $73,500 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Irving

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $318,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $444 in Irving. 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 103 in Irving. 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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 2.0% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,531 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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