Billings vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Kent
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.5%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $104,847 in Kent.
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 $104,847 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $53,650 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Kent
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $595,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $518/month in Kent. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 102 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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