Billings vs Juneau
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Juneau
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.8%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $97,194 in Juneau.
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 $97,194 in Juneau.
Conversely, $75,000 in Juneau equals $57,874 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Juneau
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Juneau's 131, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $524,000. The $214,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,908 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,475/mo in Juneau, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 123 in Juneau. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $584/month in Juneau. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1368/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 140 in Juneau. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $560 in Juneau. 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 151 in Juneau. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 49-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 $105,000 in Juneau. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $82,677 respectively. Juneau 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 $2,450/month in Juneau. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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