Billings vs Lakeland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Lakeland
The Verdict
Lakeland is 6.5% less expensive than Billings overall. A household earning $75,000 in Billings would need approximately $70,408 in Lakeland to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $70,408 in Lakeland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakeland equals $79,891 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Lakeland
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Lakeland's 79, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $307,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,525/mo in Lakeland, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 103 in Lakeland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $489/month in Lakeland. 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 102 in Lakeland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $408 in Lakeland. 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 95 in Lakeland. 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 $64,200 in Lakeland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $69,783 respectively. Lakeland 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 $1,498/month in Lakeland. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Lakeland, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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