Billings vs Lafayette
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Lafayette
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.9%, with Lafayette being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $68,878 in Lafayette.
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 $68,878 in Lafayette.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $81,667 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Lafayette
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $214,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $68,778 respectively. Lafayette 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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